Quitter

Just before thanksgiving I quit vegetarianism after 8 months.

My main reason being I am just too damn tired. I have trouble seperating vegetarianism from activism in my head. Now, with the way things were going; university, two jobs, boyfriend, rape counselling, family problems, and general extra-curricular activism, I just felt it was too much.

Amazingly, I actually feel much better. This is odd because it wasn't as though being a vegetarian was a huge inconvenience. There weren't even really times where I wanted to eat meat, that is until I thought about my mom's turkey. Right now I'm fairly satisfied to keep my meat content down.

I found it disconcerting though, that in order to calm myself, I had to cut out something which did feel important to me. I hate that I cannot spread myself any thinner. Although in retrospect, I know it's not as important to me as I thought it was. I will however, continue to eat ethically. That is, eating little meat, and the meat I do consume I will try to ensure is both organic and ethically treated which is not so hard nowadays.

I have a serious tendency to take on far too many tasks and stressing myself out. Three weeks ago I was working two jobs, taking full time classes, not sleeping due to rape issues, not sleeping due to family issues, working for the CDA, working for the Maestro project, going to sexual assault counselling, and had a boyfriend.

As of this Tuesday I am working two jobs (total 15 hours a week), taking full time classes, sleeping, working for the CDA and Maestro project, stopped counselling and have no boyfriend. The weight off my shoulders is so relaxing. I am no longer a stressed, basket case (mainly due to having confronted my rapist).

The point of this opening post, you ask? Take the time to remember that the world doesn't belong on your shoulders. Reflect on the tasks you've given yourself and see if they're all necessary. And if you have something that you know is the right time to get off your shoulders, do it.

We often forget that we're the only ones who know how to keep ourselves sane.