The day I realized that opinions and tastes are not me was a great breakthrough. I don’t really think there was an epiphany. Realizing that I am not the sum of my opinions allowed me to live in a separate space from them.
No longer would I take others tastes or critiques of my interests to be a critique of me
No longer also would I assume the taste of others (or rather, my opinion of those tastes) necessarily reflect on their person either.
(for fun’s sake, I have to say I still hold the grudge a bit on those who listen to country music. I can’t be a perfect person, you know.)
This breakthrough allowed me to drop aspects of my personality that would get in the way of really enjoying the company of others. Freed from my pre-suppositions about the character of others based on their tastes allowed me get a fresh view of people. I was constantly amazed at how much my own prejudices were not only holding me back from enjoying things, but also how much they held me back from meeting truly wonderful people.
It also allows me to be more honest about my true connections with people despite their tastes, based merely on their personalities and peoples. This has led me to deeper friendships and and a more rewarding life.
So yay for that.
Though it does bring me sorrow when I meet people who still follow my abandoned behavior: Those who can not hear criticism of their tastes without taking it as a personal attack and those who judge based on such. I have to be sensitive to this, but I quickly realize the friendship will likely be a surface one.