Preference > Position
PREFERENCE > POSITION. Every time.
This concept applies to much of what is discussed in my office: Food choice. Movement selection. How people feel about food and eating, and how people feel about moving their bodies or not.
There is extraordinary power in acknowledging and knowing and trusting your preferences. If there is a certain food that you genuinely do not prefer, or a certain exercise style that is not preferred, excellent. You know you.
But this gets tricky when wellness culture pops it’s nose into decisions and instead of offering you choice, suggests that there is a correct way and an incorrect way.
Instead of saying “I prefer to eat fruits and vegetables regularly,“ the message becomes “I am THE KIND OF PERSON who eats fruits and veggies regularly.” This might seem like a subtle differentiation, but I don’t think it is.
Having a strong position about food actually takes away your choice. It does not allow for growth or change or development of authentic preference.
Position is solid. It is unwavering. And, in my experience, is brittle and leads to fewer choices.
Preference, on the other hand, is fluid. It acknowledges that preferences change, and leaves room for a change in opinion and a change with experience.
To illustrate this point, I will use myself as an example. I don’t enjoy salmon. Because this is a preference, I can go to a restaurant or a party or a friend’s house and eat salmon and be fine. I might not love them the most, and that’s okay. I will eat again.
If I had a very strong position about salmon, for example, It might go something like this… “I am not a person who eats salmon, so I won’t be coming to your party, and I won’t be coming to that event, or I will eat later.“ And perhaps salmon is not a great example here…If it doesn’t feel right for you, play with some diet culture trends. (Gluten, Whole30, paleo, etc.)
If you are making choices based on positional beliefs, I welcome you to consider evaluating your preferences. They might be the same, but the energy of the preference is different.
Happy eating this weekend! Play with this!
*allergies need positions
