Going vegan was the best decision I ever made. Though I’d heard other people say that as well and was hoping that I, too, would benefit greatly from veganism, I was still a bit skeptical.

Originally, I started as vegetarian. I cut out meat after researching the industry and realizing that, personally, I could no longer bear the thought of eating animals. I used to turn away at the thought of animal slaughter, pretending it didn’t exist while simultaneously eating animals. But I suppose that one day I woke up and realized that I, as well as every other meat consumer, have a right to know where the food I’m eating comes from and that I am allowed to have opinions and feelings about the ways in which that food is processed.

Believe it or not, my decision to go vegan was mostly influenced by Instagram. I made a new Instagram account, where I planned to post pictures of healthy vegetarian recipes that I made from scratch. I planned to use the account as motivation for me to want to be creative in the kitchen, finding new recipes to make without meat. That tactic certainly worked, except I began to find myself following multiple accounts run by people who were fully vegan—meaning, for anyone who might not quite be sure, that those people did not make/eat anything with eggs, dairy, meat, fish, or, in many (but not all) cases, honey.

When I saw all of the colorful, delicious looking recipes those vegan accounts were making, I got inspired. I began thinking that I, too, could go vegan, and that it wouldn’t be too difficult. So, soon enough, I began my journey. I decided to try being vegan for one week. First, I switched my coffee creamer to coconut milk. I’d already switched from dairy milk to almond milk a few years prior due to lactose intolerance, so that step was easy, as well. Before I knew it I began checking labels on absolutely everything to make sure nothing contained eggs, dairy, or honey. I thought these routines would be difficult to maintain, but, aside from eating at certain restaurants, I found that it was actually quite simple.

Then, I did more research. I researched ethical aspects of veganism, such as the conditions animals must live in, as well as the treatment of those animals in dairy farming. I researched the negative effects animal agriculture (such as cattle farming) has on the environment. I researched the positive effects eating plant-based has on the human body. And, eventually, I couldn’t imagine myself, after retaining everything I learned, ever going back.

Personally, I am not a judgmental person. I am fully aware that, though it’s becoming more and more popular and widespread, veganism is still not something the majority of society practices. Just as people do not want to be told that going vegan is the best and only option, I do not care to hear people tell me that eating or living the way they do is the best and only option. My decision to go vegan has been 100% personal, and though I would love to see more people go vegan, I am aware that this lifestyle is not for everyone. Some people cannot go vegan for certain personal/health reasons, and others just simply don’t want to. I understand.

I’ve been chastised and criticized after going vegan. People have made me feel stupid, wrong, and overall just crappy for making this decision. Others have shown support and interest and many others really just don’t care—which, I must admit, is a much better alternative to the chastising. Regardless of other people’s feelings and opinions, I am here to say that, for me, going vegan has sharpened my mindset and my health, and has opened a whole new world for me. I am the happiest I’ve ever been, and I feel healthy every day. Going vegan has shown me that “living” and “thriving” are two very different words.

I will forever be grateful that I found this lifestyle.

(Shameless plug for my vegan Instagram account: @organicallyalley)