philosophy

New Method 21 | Practise Non-Binary Thinking

Sharmadean Reid

23 May 2025 — 2 min read

This is your weekly affirmation to help you build your personal philosophy. Have a great weekend!

Take a deep breathe in...and say it with me...

We recognize that by being predictable women, we are easier to control. By ticking a box, by clicking an ad, by submitting a like, we are saying: this is all we stand for. So, we scramble the algorithm and slide along a spectrum of our beliefs. We do not put ourselves in either/or scenarios, we are flexible and mutable and we explore the facts of a story, seeking all points of view to support us in formulating our own. We won’t be drawn into simplistic mind games of a forced and safe decision for acceptance. We won’t be backed into a corner of narrow-minded beliefs. We feel into the gray, seeking the space between.

Actions

Challenge Binary Choices: Next time you face an either/or decision, pause and ask, “What’s a third option here?” Watch The Good Wife for examples of nuanced moral dilemmas.
Expand Your Perspective: Seek out media or books that explore multiple viewpoints, like The Free Press podcast or The New York Times’ Opinion section.
Scramble the Algorithm: Follow accounts, read articles, and engage with content outside your usual preferences to diversify your perspectives—try watching Midnight Gospel for existential weirdness.

Read the full essay and 48 other lessons for how to take control of your life in my book New Methods For Women. Already got your copy? Gift it to the woman in your life who you want to see win.

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