I promise I didn’t create this blog to rant away from my other blog, but I really need to today.
I don’t know why, but lately I’ve been super on the defense about what I eat. I feel like I’m constantly explaining myself to people and correcting them about aspects of my diet they don’t understand. I knew getting into this that there would be skeptics, and I’ve made it my mission to share my views with the world, but sometimes I wish everyone would just leave me the eff alone about it.
Today, for example. I was bad enough that I had to eat lunch on the floor without a break and have customers interrupt with their purchases, but then they feel the need to ask me a million questions about it. “What is that?” “It looks really…interesting.” I’ve also had people make negative comments about veganism after I mention my diet. One lady told me her nine year old son decided to stop eating meat because he thought it was wrong and she told me she’s trying to make him eat meat, and that it’s just a “phase”. I couldn’t help myself, I had to be like “good for your son!”
If I had a dollar for everytime someone has said “I don’t know how you do it, I could never eat the way you eat” or “I feel so bad for you” I’d be a damn billionaire. How to I convey to ignorant people that I’m doing what is best for my body, the planet, and other living beings, without really feeling like I’m sacrificing anything at all? No one believes me unless I get into a detailed discussion with them about it (I actually helped one of my close friends decide to go vegan with one of those conversations), but I don’t always have the time or energy for something like that. And most times, people aren’t receptive to it. They didn’t come to me for advice, I’m just offering it randomly, and people get very defensive if you call them out on a bad habit.
What irks me the most though is the people I’m close to doing this to me. My boyfriend takes some sadistic pleasure in disagreeing with everything I say relating to my diet, just to get a rise out of me, and it ALWAYS works. I know thats not very yogini of me but I’m just so passionate that sometimes rational conversation just flies right out of the window. And my parents seem to think this is some type of phase (since I’ve tried and failed before), and are just holding out until I change my mind. Even my best friend in the entire world who is always supportive when no one else is made a comment that she thinks I’ll eat meat again. Why is it so hard to grasp that I’m making the committment to do this for life and that my body and spirit, not to mention the world, are better for it?
I wish I had something more productive or cosntructive to write about today, especially after such a long hiatus, but I’m afraid that’s all I’ve got today. Fortunately, ranting about it restored my inner calm, so I definitely feel better. I’d love to hear your feedback on the subject though! What frustrations have you come to face in your struggle for a healthier life?
