I’m Changing At My Own Pace

I love when people improve their lives. I really do. Because people are suppose to improve their lives and be happy. Especially if it means that they will live longer and be healthier. I think people should do whatever they need to do to make sure that they are around as long as they can be. I fully support it. Now here is what I don’t like. I don’t like when people change their lives and then shame people for not living the way they are. I understand that you have gone vegan but I am sorry I am not ready to give up meat. I can go meatless sometimes but I don’t think I could ever just give it up. I am not ready to give up sodas. I have cut back a great deal but I don’t know if I will ever completely give it up. But I am changing whatever I need for my life at my own pace. I don’t understand why folks need to regulate what other people are doing with their lives. I have seen folks on Facebook go vegan and all of a sudden everyone else who eats meat is the devil or god forbid you eat a piece of candy and you are killing yourself. I have even seen people who are happy with who they are and doing things like dancing be shamed because they are enjoying life but they don’t look the way people think they should look. I have even been judged by people who are close to me. 

The truth is I don’t want to be made to feel bad because of the way I choose to live. I am moving through my journey at my own pace. I am proud of the decisions I have made so far. I will not be working out four hours a day because someone else does it. Those memes won’t make me change my love for swine. Truth is I don’t eat swine all the time. So when I do I see it as a treat. When I get it I am going to enjoy it cause I have that right. Yes I love my soda but if you come in my home you may see a bottle or two sometimes more but that isn’t a regular thing. Right now do you know how much soda is in my house none. I feel people should be able to treat themselves. I also feel like people should be able to move through their journey at their own pace. Cause no matter of pushing is going to make people do something they aren’t ready for. 

People have to be ready to change their lives to move forward. I know for me that I am encouraged to change when people change their journey tastefully. I have this one Facebook friend who makes me want to try Vegan foods because she makes them look so delicious! She shares the recipes she makes and then she also shares the positive results. I’m like I would totally try that. She doesn’t make me feel bad because I still love my meat but I love vegetables too.  I can ask her questions and she won’t act like a know it all. I can admit that some of my life changes I have made is because of the things I’ve seen others doing. But they do it tastefully you can tell its their passion. 

You never know when your last push on a person can push them over the edge. Plus it can change their view of you. You are beating their confidence down. Yo can also make them feel like they aren’t good enough. I have had those moments so many times in my life. Times where I felt like I just wasn’t good enough. It becomes easier when you hear things like “All you think about is food.” or “Of course you just have to have a soda with your meal.” or even “You should have exercised longer.” Stuff like that actually hurts. 

Here’s a clue. It’s actually possible to encourage people without being mean and pushy.