By Halle Brindley  – Contributor

Thanks for za slice! Let me just pick off all of the olives quickly. 

Growing up, I was an olive hater. Now, as an adult, I keep olives stocked in my fridge. This is not just because I am a world-class host (I totally am), but it is also because I like those little green guys now. When did we all decide olives were good? 

This whole olive conversation started when I asked my roommate if she liked olives. Her reaction made it seem like that was the most ridiculous question ever, because, of course she likes olives! Everyone does! Olives are a dinner party essential, a speakeasy delicacy. 

Initially, I thought olives were only liked by grown-ups because they just had to like them at a certain age. Someone must keep the olive industry in business, so I assumed it was just a universally accepted good deed to like them. At 18 you can vote in the United States, and by 30, you must be an olive eater. At least, that is what I thought. 

Wait, I changed my mind! 

Think about yourself at 16, and then think about yourself now. It feels like I am talking about two VERY different people, which makes sense because your brain changes with age. As you approach the age of 25, your prefrontal cortex gets closer to being fully matured, meaning that you make better decisions because you think more logically. 

What if you did not have to wait until you turn 25 to think with reason? 

Be open-minded. No, seriously – that is the trick. Practicing open-mindedness helps you think more rationally. Problems become simpler to solve, it is easier to have a good relationship with people and the list goes on and on. It is worth noting that being open-minded doesn’t make you a hypocrite, a poser or a faker. Changing your mind means you experience a shift in opinion, often a sign of personal growth. Opinions are ongoing, ever-changing and therefore, fluid. Given that there are so many influences around us, our opinions will inevitably change. 

One of my personal influences is Emma Chamberlain. When she wore the Air Force Ones in 2019, I snagged a pair too, but people were bewildered. I wore shoes that primarily basketball players would wear. I know I am not the most athletically talented, but ouch! Fast forward, and I think every girl I know has a pair in her closet – I will give it to Nike; they are good shoes! I am glad you finally noticed.

I am not going to edit open-minded friends’ names in my phone to “their name (hypocrite)” because they changed their minds. But, I might modify their contact names to “their name (my open-minded Babygirl who I love sooooo much)”.

So, maybe we all just grew up and changed our opinion on olives. That does not make us undependable or inauthentic to our younger selves. It is a lesson in accepting our journey as personal growth participants (humans) and grownups too.