Never before my life have I attracted so much criticism and attention! Yes, I’m a vegan. No I don’t eat meat. I don’t drink the milk from cow’s teats. Believe it or not, I actually don’t feel the need to ingest the solidified mammary excretions of other species! Yes! It’s true! Now, what of it?
I am sick and tired of hearing story after story from person after person about the friend of their mother’s cousin’s brother’s coworker who was vegan and then:
- Quit after a month, week, year
- Got sick and decided to stop
- Became bitter and unhappy
- Lost their friends
Who asked you anyway? Are you trying to discourage me? Do you want me to know that others have tried and failed? Are you expressing your disapproval? Or are you compassionately concerned for my health? Is this comment for your benefit or mine? Perhaps your subconscious is attempting to validate your own poor health choices?
Why do people feel the need to comment on my dietary choices? I do my best to keep it to myself, but somehow people like to draw attention to it! Then, I get the privilege of fending off remarks such as “I heard that this study showed that vegans <insert undesirable nutritionally based outcome>.” I am ready to smash all stereotypes and prove everyone wrong. I’ve had enough of it! The worst is hearing these criticisms coming from people who very clearly have no interest in maintaining their own health. They can be overweight, eating junk food, not exercising, not de-stressing and some how feel qualified to make comments on how I live my life. Well you know what, I’m learning more about nutrition every single day. I’m studying it. I’m going to earn a degree in vegan-ology from the school of informal debate.
I really don’t want to impress my own opinions and views on others. Other people’s choices don’t bother me. This seems to surprise many people, but its true. I think that everyone has a right to make their own choices and be free from my opinions. Of course, if I am asked directly, I will gladly discuss my views on nutrition with anyone that is truly interested. Heck, I’ll even discuss it with people who completely disagree with me. I am always trying to learn more, but I’m not interested in arguing with people who have already made their mind up. I’m not trying to convince anyone else that they should eat a vegan diet. That’s their choice. The key difference here is that I don’t go around making disparaging comments every time someone eats a hamburger or cuts the cheese.
I do, however, want to serve as an example of good health to other people who may wish to improve their own. For this reason, I have become the fierce vegan. Let’s go. I’m ready. Talk anti-vegan to me.