The Silent Power of Observation in Taste Formation
Observation also plays a critical role in taste formation. This concept is powerfully illustrated in Jane Tompkins’ groundbreaking work, A Life in School: What the Teacher Learned. Tompkins recounts how she developed an appreciation for 19th-century American literature by emulating her professor’s actions and approaches, even when she didn’t fully understand the reasoning behind them. She would read the texts he read, take notes in the same way he did, and attempt to think along the same lines as him. Similarly, when we are exposed to someone else’s tastes, whether in music, clothing, food, or other areas, we often pick up on them simply by observing their behavior and preferences. This process of learning through observation helps shape our own tastes over time.
Observation is the unsung hero of taste and is about cultivating an awareness of what is happening in our field of perception. In a culture that is always urging us to do more, faster, it is about taking the time to look deeply. It’s about going from passively seeing things to actively observing them, and noting the tiny sparks of recognition when you come into contact with something that speaks to you — for example, a blue that complements the warm tones of wood, the effect of sunlight on a linen tablecloth, or the proportions of an object that give it a taut sense of energy. You start to recognize these things, but try not to judge them — at least, not yet.
It is a disarming exercise, easy in concept, and tricky to execute. You have to refrain from rushing to assign the tag of “beautiful” or “ugly” and pause to note the physical sensation the object provokes. What does your body do in the presence of a particular texture? How does the breath respond to certain colors? Do you want to stay in this environment, or leave immediately? Such physical and emotional reactions are far more accurate than “likes” or recommendations based on current style. As you continue to note your sensations, you eventually develop a point of reference, a consistent voice of your inner observer that you can learn to trust.
I think one of the coolest things that happens in this stage is that you start to realize you don’t need to observe as much as you think. You don’t need to follow every trend, you don’t need to follow every influencer, you don’t need to follow what’s popular because you’re developing your own silent observer and you’re not asking the question “Is this in style?” you’re asking the question “Does this make me feel how I want to feel in my life?” And it’s that difference between validation and resonance. That’s a really, really big distinction. And it gives you the permission to stop playing the validation game. It gives you the permission to stop trying to keep up and to follow along. It gives you the permission to make the choices that feel right for you even if they don’t make sense to anyone else.
As you start to hone your observation skills, it becomes part of who you are and inevitably starts to play a role in the details of your everyday life. At the grocery store, I start thinking about how to get the colors and shapes of my food to complement each other. When I’m on the go, I notice the proportions, lighting, and the interaction between different textures. I notice the way the icons are laid out on my phone and the typography on my favorite blogs. Every little detail becomes important and an opportunity to improve. This constant interaction between the world and your inner improvement mechanisms becomes a powerful feedback loop that will hone your skills much faster than any classroom setting.
Ultimately, the practice of looking closely changes not only our purchases but our very perception. Everyday moments get an extra dimension. A nice dinner on a nice plate becomes subtly special. A good coat feels like part of the self, not just a defence against the elements. And observation ceases to be an exercise and is simply a state – peaceful, inquisitive and highly attuned. It’s the unseen force that turns taste from something you possess into something you inhabit.
