Do people in your family groan at your dietary preferences?
Are you the pesky vegetarian or- god forbid- you’re zero sugar?
I’ve noticed people can be quite reactive to things like “I’m not eating meat” or “I’m actually zero sugar”
I’m not exactly sure why, but it wasn’t until someone said the trusty old “oh it’s always something with you” that I decided to adjust my communication.
Always vs. right now.
Things like “I’m only eating x” or “I don’t eat y” seem to invite those unsolicited comments from uncle Joe. I suppose because it’s a line in the sand. So instead, I’ve been framing my wider lifestyle choices as something I’m choosing in the moment. For some reason people don’t mind as much if you’re not eating sugar just ‘this time’.
I also like this frame because it allows me to choose each time. Who knows maybe I do want a piece of steak today! Thanks for asking.
We don’t need to make identity statements at the dinner table.
But we can choose who we are through how we respond.
