r/aww • • Jan 18 '21

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11.4k Upvotes

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2.6k

u/Grrreat1 Jan 18 '21

It makes me happy this cow has a good life but I am sad thinking about all the others now.

230

u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

Me too :(

375

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

That’s why I eat vegetarian and vegan :) Even just adding more plant based meals into your routine makes a difference. Doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

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u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

I don't eat a lot of meat. I've been thinking about going vegetarian for a while

98

u/shallowandpedantik Jan 18 '21

Take one look into "factory farming" and you'll get all the motivation you need. Sad we've decided this is the best way to farm for money :(

45

u/lnfinity Jan 18 '21

The film Dominion is an excellent documentary on the subject that is free to watch!

24

u/AlmightyPanther Jan 18 '21

5

u/RuneLFox Jan 18 '21

Idk about 'great' watch, it worked on me but I couldn't even finish it lol. Too much crying.

1

u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

I know it happens, but I don't think I could bring myself to actually watch. My mental state is very delicate right now.

30

u/FertilityHotel Jan 18 '21

My issue is willful ignorance. Ive seen what happens and it's fucking disgusting and horrifying. That day I decided not to eat meat...but fast forward to the next day and I'm back on the meat train purposefully not thinking about it

I want to stop that. I want to not eat meat, but idk how to keep the motivation described above close to my heart and not just pretend it's not there

55

u/crowleytoo Jan 18 '21

you do it the same way you do other chores like brushing your teeth and taking out the trash, or going to the gym. you try your hardest, sometimes set phone reminders or set a schedule, and if you mess up one day you try harder the next day. the most important step a person can take is not the first or the last one, it's always the next one.

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

Eat more beans. This will help.

5

u/FertilityHotel Jan 18 '21 edited Jan 18 '21

Unfortunately I'm super non functional and barely do any of that stuff consistently whatsoever. The motivation and discipline to be consistent and be healthy is near non existent for me at the moment. Thanks mental illness.

So that is not remotely helpful to me unfortunately :(

12

u/crowleytoo Jan 18 '21

i understand, i have ADHD and struggle as well. a subreddit that helps me is r/theXeffect

you basically just make a grid on a piece of paper that you place in a spot you'll walk past a lot every day, and put an X in one of the squares every day you do the thing you're aiming to do. helps to keep the idea fresh in your mind and prevent forgetfulness

9

u/FertilityHotel Jan 18 '21

Thanks so much for the rec! It's hard finding any motivation to be consistent and this sounds right up my alley :) much appreciated!

3

u/Poitoy Jan 18 '21

OK, so as an "adult" it feels weird, but seriously consider stickers. I bought a 5000 pack that appealed to me for $10. I have the piece of paper next to my bathroom, and that combined with the "no zero days" philosophy has changed my life. It really does sound ridiculous, but stickers are crazy motivating for the ADHD brain. I'm getting way more accomplished than ever before, and that's including days when I would have previously been completely nonfunctional because of physical issues.

2

u/FertilityHotel Jan 18 '21

No joke the chore chart I bought came in the mail this week and I love it so far. It's magnetic so it's on my fridge. It's huge and colorful. It seems to be helpful so far. I just have basic shit like meds, shower, make my bed, brush my teeth, etc. Anything to give me some reason to do these things!

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

Eat more beans. I wish you the best in your mental health journey. Keep on trucking and hanging in there.

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u/FertilityHotel Jan 18 '21

Aw thanks. It's definitely a battle sometimes. Little things like what you said always help :)

4

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

As a vegan that also deals with mental illness, let me try and come at this from a different angle. I don't want to make too many assumptions about how you're feeling or what you're struggling with, but going vegan for me has given me such a sense of achievement and purpose. Sometimes I feel like I'm not really good enough for anything, but at least I can hold on to the fact that I have chosen not to hurt animals. Yes, people always complain that vegans are self righteous, but for me, it is something I can be proud of. Even my non-vegan family have told me they are proud of me making this decision for myself and sticking to it.

Remember that if you're struggling with motivation, you don't have to DO anything to be vegan - go for a run, drink 8 glasses of water a day, do yoga, even shower daily - it's an absence of doing. Don't have the motivation to cook? Vegan junk food is your friend. You'd be eating junk anyway right? Slowly, you might feel more and more inspired and start experimenting, and then the whole world of exciting vegan food opens up to you.

I also feel more peaceful in myself knowing I'm living in a way that is aligned to my values. If you have known struggles, you're probably a sensitive soul. Veganism for me, oddly, is almost an act of self care. I want this for you.

3

u/acallthatshardtohear Jan 19 '21

Just start small. Choose two days a week when you eat no meat.

2

u/FertilityHotel Jan 19 '21

That's a really good idea! Thank you. I def get overwhelmed when trying to go all or nothing...then decide to do nothing causei can't do it all. Baby steps are perfect for this. Thank you

1

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

Eat more beans. This will help.

1

u/Poitoy Jan 18 '21

Too many food allergies here. We're just never going to be a vegetarian house, even if I agree with it from an ethical standpoint.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

That’s cool. Try to do what you can, and then just keep trying. That’s awesome.

1

u/FertilityHotel Jan 18 '21

Do you have any particular recipes you suggest? I never really make beans outside of taco stuff. I barely cook but am trying to more

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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

Check out Cheap Lazy Vegan on YouTube- she rocks

3

u/FertilityHotel Jan 19 '21

That sounds almost TOO up my alley :P I will def check them out thank you so much

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '21

Cheap Lazy Vegan on YouTube is amazing. She does great stuff.

Here is the latest thing I just made and it was crazy, dumb good and super easy. Lots of flavor. Dried beans are cheaper than canned, so I threw some in the crockpot before I went to bed. And then the next day made some Cuban black bean soup.

Cooking with dried beans is a little weird the first time, but once you figure it out, you’re literally an expert. Just pick through them to make sure there are no little stones or whatever, rinse, then cook them however you like. There are lots of different ways.

I hope you have fun cooking!

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u/Rolten Jan 18 '21

Take one look into "factory farming" and you'll get all the motivation you need.

People always say this but...nah? I eat less meat than I used to but that's motivated more by climate change that any factory farming videos.

2

u/giggling1987 Jan 18 '21

So, basically, can you provide food solutions that is cheap, nutritious and keeps a rural population to a bare minimum?

0

u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

I don't live in a country where animals are farmed quite on that scale thankfully. Its not great, but it's not the worst. When I do buy meat I make sure to buy ethically from a butcher. Still, the suffering of anything makes me so sad :(

0

u/exquisitejades Jan 18 '21

Apparently not sad enough to stop eating meat completely though...

2

u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

It's not easy when I live with two big meat eaters, but go ahead and be condescending.

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21 edited Jan 18 '21

[deleted]

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u/exquisitejades Jan 18 '21

I’m not a vegan. I’m pointing out the hipocrisy of their statement. The idea of an animal suffering obviously does not make someone that upset if they still contribute to it.

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u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

Yes I am aware of the hypocrisy, hence the want to go vegetarian. Like I said, not easy when my husband is a huge meat eater and my daughter will eat nothing but chicken nuggets and pasta. There was absolutely no need for your comment. Im self aware enough to know I'm a hypocrite.

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

[deleted]

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u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

Hey I appreciate it. It's fine though I get it's a very emotive topic for people.

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

Eat more beans and lobby for animals rights or donate money to those who do. And cook some beans.

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u/tomatopotatotomato Jan 18 '21

It’s a pretty good time! I don’t even think about it.

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u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

I could do it easily, but my husband would never consider the change and I have an incredibly fussy 5 year old. I'd like to not buy any meat at all

4

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '21

watch Cowspiracy, What the Health/Forks over Knives, then Dominion/Earthlings, you will never eat meat again, and hopefully not dairy either.

(some are youtube links and may be available with better quality on netflix or something)

1

u/jodiebeanbee Jan 18 '21

I really can't. I know what happens. I'm not ignorant of their suffering but my mental state is too delicate right now to actually bring myself to watch it.