Skip to main content

Unlearning


How do we look beyond what we see? We can, by unlearning. 

Unlearning means developing an alternative mental model. It is a different way of looking at things. It's about trying to explore more and broadening our horizons. It's about acknowledging there are many narratives and different stories other than the one we know or what we have learned. For when we learn, we add to our existing knowledge and build on it. 

Unlearning on the other hand is about understanding that our current learning may be flawed, biased, or needs to be challenged. It is about stepping outside our mental models taking a fresh look at what we hold in our minds. It's very much about acknowledging and accepting a different one from what we see. There are high chances that what we were seeing or holding true could be incomplete and ineffective. 

Unlearning, thus, is the process of realizing that something which we learned earlier is incorrect, ineffective, or obsolete, admitting it, and deciding to erase such bad conditioning and misconceptions from our mind for good. We unlearn when we embrace new paradigms and willingly move towards acknowledging varied possibilities that exist. 

But how do we unlearn? How do you move beyond what we see? How do we pursue multiple narratives and points of view? 
 
One of the first things in the process of unlearning is being prepared to change one's perspective. To put it more bluntly is to say we should be ready to be proved wrong. It is about accepting nothing is absolute and realizing what is good today may not be so tomorrow. And if this is to happen then we need to nurture an unquenching thirst for knowledge and an ability to keep questioning our assumptions of what we know. Do they still hold true? What has changed? What has evolved? How? Why? This inquisitiveness holds the key to unlearning. 

Having a creative and critical bent of mind fuels this inquisitiveness and helps us recognize that the old mental models (or what we feel we see) are no longer relevant. This however is a challenge because most models or narratives are unconsciously embedded in our minds and difficult to do away with. 

This is where creating new models based on removing what is not required helps and guides us. Continuously practicing unlearning makes it easier and quicker to make the shifts as your brain adapts to new models being created. And what better than a curious mind full of questions, willing to embrace the discomfort of change to begin the unlearning journey. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day One -- What Am I Going To Write About?

To be honest, I’m not sure. I didn’t have a plan for this. A few ideas popped into my head yesterday, but I let them slip away without writing them down. So now, I’m here, wondering... What should I write about? I’ve always admired how writers seem to find the words. They don’t just tell stories; they make sense of life. Whether it’s fiction, essays, or poems, their words flow effortlessly, drawing you into their world. It’s like magic—captivating and transformative. Somehow, they’ve mastered the craft of turning simple words into gems that stay with you long after you’ve read them. And then, there’s me. I just write. I let my thoughts spill out, raw and unfiltered, without much structure or thought. No carefully woven narrative, no grand flow—just whatever comes to mind. Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll ever get to the level of those writers who make it all seem so easy. Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t. But right now, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m writing. I showed
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 2 - What's Your Purpose?

Have you ever truly asked yourself, What’s my purpose? It’s a question many ask, but few genuinely pursue. We often move through life, following routines without stopping to consider why we’re doing what we do. Many choices are made simply because "that’s how it’s always been done," without questioning the deeper reasons behind them. Think about it: How often do people choose a career because it's popular, without ever asking themselves, Why do I want to do this? It’s rare to pause and reflect on what drives us at our core. But those who are in pursuit of purpose— they ask the important questions. They don’t just accept choices blindly; they challenge the status quo, question the outcomes, and evaluate the significance of their actions in relation to their larger goals. Purpose provides clarity. It’s the compass that guides decisions and actions, ensuring every step is intentional. It’s not just about achieving success; it’s about creating meaningful change,
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 3 - The Power of Letting Go: Why It's Okay to Give Up

In a world that glorifies perseverance and celebrates grit, we're often told to keep pushing through no matter the cost. "Winners never quit, and quitters neve win" has been drilled into us since childhood. But what if sometimes the strongest, wisest choice is to let go? What if walking away could be your key to unlocking a better future? There are moments in life when we know—deep down—that continuing down the same path is futile. Yet, we keep going, fueled by hope that maybe, just maybe, things will turn around. We tell ourselves, "I'll give it one more try," even when we know it's unlikely to work. So why do we hold on? There are many reasons, but they often come down to fear: What will people say? Will I be seen as a failure? How can I let go when I’ve given it my everything? I can’t imagine my life without this. There must be a way to make it work! These thoughts cloud our judgment, keeping us stuck. But the real point is not the reason
Post a Comment
Read more