Yes, I’m a vegetarian. No, I don’t care that you aren’t. I don’t care about your food choices. I’m not going to scold you or preach at you if you eat a cheeseburger in front of me. I know they’re good, I used to eat them too. I won’t make you feel bad about the things you enjoy, so do not make me feel bad about my choices. Do not tell me “you know you aren’t actually making a difference”, or “it’s just one burger, it’s not the end of the world”. Don’t call me stuck up or difficult.

Don’t shame me for my beliefs and I won’t shame you for yours.

It’s as simple as that.

Now we’ve gotten that out of the way, let me explain some things.

I’m a vegetarian for one reason, the animals. I don’t really care about the health benefits, they’re just a plus. I’m in this for them, for the cows trapped in stockade like pens, for the pigs who have their throats slit and are hung up to dry, for chickens kept in coops so full, they can barely turn around. If choosing not to eat meat could save one animals life, I’m more than willing to make that sacrifice.

I understand people want to eat meat and people are always going to want to eat meat. All I can hope is that people who choose that diet understand exactly what that decision means. I can only hope that people are educated and understand where their steak comes from. I know many people who turn a blind eye and pretend not to see what goes on in slaughterhouses.

I ask one thing of you, meat-eaters, watch some videos of what happens in a slaughterhouse. Educate yourselves. Understand exactly what decision you’re making when you bite into that rib-eye.

I’m not here to try to convert anybody. I’m not here to make anyone feel bad. I’m here to simply explain myself and talk about my experiences.

Being a vegetarian is not difficult. I can say with absolute honesty that it’s not hard to transition. Many people think converting is this big life change and it is to an extent, but it can be done without a ton of effort. And I totally get cravings (especially for cheeseburgers and chicken wings), but they’re the same as any other craving. They pass.

Keep in mind I’ve only been a vegetarian for a few months, but I’d like to think that I’m doing pretty well.

Being a vegetarian on a college campus is no easy task, I will say (at least here at USC Aiken). The cafeteria does have vegetation/vegan options sometimes (tofu stir fry, vegetarian lasagna, blackened tofu, tofu with chili noodles, black bean burgers, grilled cheese, etc.), but they don’t offer them every day. Usually once or twice a week I find myself stuck with salad or pizza. Not to mention, vegetarian/vegan food can be pricey and is just not a feasible option for a broke college student like myself.

Health wise, I’ve seen a surprising amount of benefits for such a short period. I’ve lost 15 pounds since converting, my skin has cleared up, my energy levels are higher, I can focus for longer periods of time, and my overall mood has improved a ton. Plus, the added benefit of believing in something and doing a good dead makes the whole thing extra sweet.

I don’t care if you don’t think I’m making a difference. I don’t need anyone else’s validation to prove that I am doing the right thing.

From my experience, most people are cool about it. Just about everyone I’ve ever told has either not cared or admired me for it, so I’ve been lucky. That’s not to say I haven’t gotten strange looks or the dreaded “why?”, but for the most part, I haven’t had any issues. The only person who gave me a hard time was my dad, he seems convinced that I’m not happy without meat in my life. He always says things like “Why don’t you just have a turkey sandwich or a cheeseburger if you want?” or “Why deprive yourself of things you enjoy?” I deprive myself of things I enjoy because I like animals being alive more than a burger. I don’t value my satisfaction over their lives.

I’m perfectly happy with my veggie burger and tofu, thank you very much.

The best advice I could give to anyone thinking about making the switch is to make sure you get protein in your diet. Nuts, seeds, eggs, and beans are all great sources and will give you the boost you need. Invest in some protein powders too, it’s tough to find delicious ones, but they’re out there, I promise!

Becoming a vegetarian is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It gives me a sense of purpose and makes me feel like I’m making a difference every single day. It’s empowering. No animal has to die in order for me to live.

“It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.” -Joaquin Phoenix