I get to be like everybody else, I get to make my own decisions, have my own life, do whatever the damned hell I choose.-

- Denny Duquette

Why do people feel it is their right to question my decision. I love my family dearly, all of my aunts, my uncles, cousins, brother, sister, parents, grandparents, etc. I know that they really do have the best intentions at heart, and that they think they know what is best for me. I appreciate their best intentions, but that does not mean they can try to dissuade my decisions based on their personal feelings.

Over the past year, especially, I have had to make lots of decisions. I feel like I am getting really good at choosing what is best for me. I could go into detail about my decisions surrounding my post-graduate plans. Stay at my current office job or find a new one. Stay in this city or find a new one. Stay in my apartment or find a new one. Stay with my boyfriend or find a new one (I just wanted to go with the scheme of things here, the real decision was to stay with my boyfriend or to leave.) Ultimately I found a new job, which led to a quick promotion. Stayed in the city I love. Found a new apartment without my now ex-boyfriend of 5 ½ years. Then there have been the small decisions that make life what it is. Have another beer or not, go home with him or not, try this activity with a friend or not. Each decision has made me who I am, and honestly, for the most part, I like where I have lead myself.

With all this decision making practice, I know I made the right decision to try veganism. I felt confident in telling my family that I had made this decision. It seems like every time I see them I have a new life altering decision, each one I have been proud of in conclusion.

Then came the questioning, and you know what, I get to make my own decisions. This is my life, I can do whatever I want. I am 24 years old, I moved out of my parents house 6 years ago into my own apartment in a city 3 hours away for school and work. I have never led myself astray. Trust my choices, don’t question them, support them. My parents are 95% supportive. My aunts and uncles like to question me. My friends for the most part are supportive.

Are you in a position in your life where you are making lots of decisions? Are they life changing, or small? How do your family and friends react to your choices?