When your thoughts are racing between total indifference and obsessive preference, how do you know whether or not you actually like something? Your ambivalence can sway you toward liking something, which is often good, or disliking something, which is also good, depending on what the thing is you’re disliking. Here are a few things to consider when honing in on your tastes:
Does it make you feel good?
If what you’re pondering does make you feel good, congratulations! That’s usually a good indicator that you do like it. Keep in mind that enjoying something can lead to some moral gray areas. For example, you might discover that you really enjoy murdering, which is typically frowned upon in most cultures, so with that external judgment in mind, you may decide you actually don’t like it.
How often do you think about it?
This can be a tricky one. If the thing in question is a lover, thinking about him or her often probably means that you enjoy their company, which means you like them! On the other hand, you may often think of a coworker who annoys you with her hurtful comments about your job performance – in that case your obsession is more an indication of dislike, or even hatred. Then there are the things you like but not in an obsessive way. You might like cottage cheese, for example, but you never think about it, so it’s tough to say. Maybe you don’t like cottage cheese…
If at first you don’t know…stay positive.
Try not to fall to pieces if you can’t narrow down your preference the first time you try thinking about it. Give it some time, and with effort, your newfound realization will be obvious. If you’re still unsure, remain positive or neutral in case you do end up liking it, so that people don’t think you’re being disingenuous.
Your taste is the definitive mark of your personality, but try not to concentrate too hard on weighing out the pros and cons. Just kick back, relax and allow your brain to shift into autopilot as you slowly figure out who you are and if that’s okay.
