The Taste Test - How Your Actions Really Feel

Split image showing peaceful vs anxious facial expressions | The Harvest Clinic

We make hundreds of choices every day. Some feel energizing, others leave us drained. But have you ever stopped to ask why? - How your actions really feel.

In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we talk about two fundamental directions our actions can take: moving towards what we value, or moving away from what we fear. The fascinating thing is, the same behavior can come from either place — and your body always knows the difference.

The Internal Compass You Didn't Know You Had

Think about the last time you said "yes" to something. Maybe it was agreeing to help a friend, taking on a project at work, or even something as simple as going for a walk.

Now here's the key question: What was driving that "yes"?

Was it because the action connected you to something meaningful — your love for that friend, your passion for the work, your desire for health? Or was it because saying "no" felt too uncomfortable, too risky, too likely to disappoint someone?

From the outside, both look identical. You helped your friend either way. You took on the project either way. You went for that walk either way.

But on the inside? Completely different experiences.

The Aftertaste Never Lies: How Your Actions Really Feel

I like to call this the "taste test." If your actions were food, what would they taste like — not just in the moment, but afterwards?

• Towards moves often taste bitter at first. That difficult conversation you need to have. The creative project that feels vulnerable. The boundary you need to set. These things can feel uncomfortable, scary, or awkward in the moment.

  
  

  But the aftertaste? Rich. Satisfying. Like you've nourished something important inside yourself.

• Away moves, on the other hand, often taste sweet right away. Scrolling social media instead of dealing with that email. Saying yes to avoid conflict. Staying busy to avoid difficult feelings. Immediate relief, instant gratification.

  
  

  But that aftertaste? Often hollow. Empty. Like you've filled up on something that looked good but left you undernourished.

A Personal Example

Last month, I had a choice: attend a networking event or stay home and catch up on work. On paper, both could be justified. Networking is "good for business." Catching up on work is "being responsible."

But when I checked in with my real motivation, I realized I wanted to skip the event not because I valued focused work time, but because I was anxious about making small talk with strangers. I was moving away from social discomfort, not towards anything meaningful.

So I went to the event. It was awkward at first (that bitter initial taste), but I ended up having genuine conversations with people doing work I found fascinating. The aftertaste? Energy. Connection. Aliveness.

If I had stayed home, I might have felt immediate relief, but I would have missed something that actually mattered to me: learning from others and building real relationships.

The Practice: Three Questions

Start paying attention to the quality of your choices. Before making decisions — big or small — try asking yourself:

1. What am I moving towards here? (What value, what meaning, what part of myself am I honoring?)

   
   

2. What am I moving away from? (What discomfort, fear, or difficult feeling am I trying to avoid?)

   
   

3. How does this feel in my body? (Expansive or contracted? Energizing or draining?)

   
   

Neither direction is "wrong." Sometimes we genuinely need to move away from things that are harmful. But when our whole lives become a series of escape routes, we end up far from anywhere we actually wanted to go.

The beautiful thing about this practice is that you already have everything you need. Your body, your heart, your gut — they're constantly giving you information about whether you're moving towards meaning or away from discomfort.

You just have to learn to listen.

Want support in developing this inner awareness?

At The Harvest Clinic, we specialize in helping people tune into their internal compass and make choices that align with their deepest values. Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, we can help you distinguish between actions that truly nourish you and those that merely provide temporary relief.

Schedule an appointment today and start living with more intention and authenticity.

Book a session now