We all met bullies when it comes to choosing a vegetarian lifestyle and it’s never easy to let them pass unnoticed.

When I was in my transitioning period from a standard diet to a vegetarian lifestyle I faced a lot of bad words and even nasty looks, for the simple fact that I didn’t choose to eat meat. People can became really mean when they want to, I am sure that you know it; but I know for a fact that people are not bad just for the sake of being bad, people become defensive and they revolt on things that they don’t understand well enough.

At first I wasn’t very delighted to face other’s opinion on my life choices, especially when most of them were malicious and didn’t have any argument. Months have passed and unbelievably I survived the 1^st wave of nasty words, even from people that I appreciate or love. As time was passing by, I learned more and more, how to feel comfortable in situations that I normally hated or didn’t want to face.

Here are the 10 steps that helped me along my journey to feel comfortable as a vegetarian:
Step 1: GET INFORMED

I cannot emphasize this aspect enough; this must be the 1^st step in your journey anyways. When you get informed on this lifestyle you will learn how to live it correctly and you will know what arguments you can provide to others when they ask about common things, such as: where do you get your protein? What about B12, vitamin D or Zinc… and the list can continue as I am sure you know it.

Step 2: SEARCH THE ANSWER FOR ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

We all have questions at the beginning and we feel that maybe something is not clear enough; relax, this is perfectly normal. Most of us were raised on a standard diet and this is all we know. Search your answers and give yourself time to process all the information that you find regarding this lifestyle. If you feel lost in different opinions or in different studies, ask for help from other people that are more experienced than you.

Step 3: DECIDE YOUR REASONS BEHIND YOUR NEW LIFESTYLE CHOICE

Some people become vegetarians for their health, others for environmental reasons, others for the animals, others for religion and so on. Decide why you choose to be a vegetarian, what determines you to follow this lifestyle and remember this reason every time you forget you feel lost or unmotivated.

Step 4: ACCEPT THE FACT THAT NOT EVERYBODY WILL SUPPORT YOU

Not all the people in your life will accept your new lifestyle. Some of them will laugh, others will try to get you down, others will try to offer you numerous arguments in favor of the standard diet, and others will get mad on you or maybe won’t speak to you anymore. But let me tell you that there will be some people who support, respect and encourage you on your new path. Now listen: stick to those people who accept, respect and love you unconditionally, even if they don’t understand you at the beginning.

Step 5: LEARN TO COOK THE VEGETARIAN OPTIONS TO YOUR FAVOURITE MEALS

This is crucial and will help you a lot. For example: let’s say you like your Sheppard’s pie and you cannot accept the fact of not eating it anymore. Good news! You don’t have to. There are plenty of options for cooking your perfect Sheppard’s pie, in its vegetarian form. Try to find solutions for your favorite meals and continue to eat them but in a vegetarian option. Besides that, try to find new recipes also, recipes that you will find very, very tasty.

Step 6: BE HUMBLE, DON’T BRAG, DON’T PUSH AND DON’T BE ARROGANT

I think this step can be used in any life situation, but for the sake of this post I will tell you that you will not win a single heart with such a behavior. Nobody likes arrogant people. You are not better than other people because you choose to be vegetarian. Remember that, always!

Step 7: DON’T TRY TO CONVINCE ANYBODY TO BECOME VEGETARIAN

This is such an important step! Don’t force your ideas, your thoughts and your passion for this lifestyle on anybody. All of us have our own path. Remember that this lifestyle must be inspired by your own example and not forced to others. People will follow you anyways if they see that you thrive, are happy and you bring a positive message to the world. This doesn’t mean that you cannot share your passion with others, but make it in a positive way, with gentleness. A very smart person said once: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”!

Step 8: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH CONCIOUS PEOPLE THAT SHARE THE SAME PASSIONS AND GOALS

This again is valid for life in general, but I think that it fits perfectly as the 9^th step in our list. Find others that became vegetarians for the same reasons as you, organize meetings, get out in the sun, chat online, have fun, be a normal human being, laugh and learn from each other.

Step 9: NEVER JUDGE YOUR LOVED ONES FOR NOT FOLLOWING YOUR LIFESTYLE

You changed! Good for you, good for the planet, good for the animals! I repeat: you are the one that changed but the people in your family might never change (although I doubt it seriously: D) and this is again OK. Don’t pretend to be PERFECT in any area of your life. There is not such a thing as perfection. Try to motivate wisely your choices and try to have decent conversations with your family, show them what you know and what you have learned, cook them healthy and delicious meals, support them, love them, hug them show them appreciation for what they are and for what they choose to eat, say, do or think. This is the same support that you want for yourself, isn’t it? …and who knows when a vegetarian husband, brother, kid or mother in law might show up at your door?:D

Step 10: GET EXCITED FOR LIFE IN GENERAL

Remember that diet and is just a part of our life, a very important part, this is true, but there are also other important things in life that people love to do. They love to laugh, they love to spend time together, they love to watch movies, they love to be goofy, they have passions and desires, the love to move, to dance to read or to make love. I am sure that you are one of them. Don’t neglect the other part of you and don’t turn vegetarianism into an obsession that doesn’t let you … be you, as a whole 😀

These are my thoughts on how to feel comfortable as a vegetarian and I hope they help you. Take it step by step, and love every part of this journey. Remember: get informed, don’t judge, love your family and friends regardless of their diets, surround yourself with supportive people and have fun with your life. But hang on darling, I forgot to say something:

You are a spectacular human being, worthy of all the love in the world.

Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise