“My choice is what I choose to do
And if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you
Your choice is who you choose to be
And if your causin' no harm, then you're alright with me”
These are some lyrics from Ben Harper’s song ‘Burn One Down’ which I find so fitting in every day life. It’s amazing how the choices someone can make for their life that is simply a not a big deal to them, somehow turns into a huge issue for someone else. There are three obvious examples in my own life which I can relate:
1). Being a vegan.
I’m not the type of person who goes around screaming at the top of my lungs I’M A VEGAN I’M A VEGAN I’M A VEGAN! I don’t judge people for their food choices, I’m a vegan because it works for me, it suits my life and it makes me feel healthy and happy. I understand that going vegan isn’t for everyone, some people feel healthier having meat and dairy in their diets and that’s cool, not a big deal. What you eat doesn’t affect me, so why should my food choices affect someone else? No matter what though from time to time, someone, whether it is friends, people I work with or even people who I have just met, feel the need to make a comment on my food choices. WHY? It gets incredibly tiring hearing the same thing over and over again, for me it’s not a big deal, it’s just food. Why do some people feel it essential to say something negative about my food choices when I don’t feel the need to judge and comment about their food choices?
2). Studying Environmental Science
Ooohh this one gets mixed reviews. Either way there’s judgement on both sides. Without even asking what I am majoring in, or asking me why I’m doing this degree, a lot of people I have come across has made assumptions about who I am simply because I have told them I’m studying environmental science. I understand that dressing a bit like a hippie probably does give an impression that I support the Greens party, or that I get involved in the social political side of environmental issues, but that’s simply not the case. I want to work with animals, the ecology, and biodiversity side of things. I don’t want to get involved with political environmental issues, but no one ever asks me that, the two reactions I generally receive are: “oh wow, that’s awesome” or some kind of awkward reaction where you tell from the person’s face they feel uncomfortable because they might be thinking that I’m a judgmental environmentalist who thinks the majority of people are evil tree cutters. It seems to be a bit of a touchy subject with certain people, because sometimes when they find out I’m not really interested in the social/political side of things, some people get this look of disappointment on their face and others a look of relief. It is quite funny just how environmental issues can make people react.
3). Choosing not to drink for 3 months
Currently I’m a month through doing my three month ‘Hello Sunday Morning’ (“HSM”).
Anyway, I’m doing this because I want more focus and motivation to work on myself. I recently just got out of a relationship, and although I was the one who broke it off, it didn’t make it that much easier. We had broken up once before, but that was only for two weeks, and I drunk a LOT in those two weeks so I never really dealt with or confronted my feelings or the issues in the relationship. What I like about this three months not drinking is that I can see things clearly and really deal with what’s going on with me right now without having alcohol affect me. I went out the other night with one of my friends and she knew I wasn’t drinking which I didn’t think was a big deal, but I could tell that it made her uncomfortable. Why? Why is there a perception that to go out on a Saturday night, go dancing with friends or whatever that you have to drink. I am still the same person, I am still Rhiannon, my friend has known me since primary school, but she didn’t think I was going to have a good time. What’s difference though; it’s still two good friends hanging out?! The only difference is one is drinking and one isn’t. That’s it. I can honestly say I still had an awesome time, I was still danced with her just as I would have if I had been drinking, still talked to random people just as I would have if I had been drinking. Not drinking hasn’t stopped me doing anything, I’m still social, I still do everything that I normally do, but when you tell people you’re not drinking, like being a vegan, it suddenly becomes an issue for the other person.
After ranting about all of this, I’m sure there are times where I probably do the same. Make issues out of things that simply should not be issues. I hope though if I do, that people will tell me about it, I don’t want to be overreacting to something that I shouldn’t be.
So once again, My choice is what I choose to do and if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you. Your choice is who you choose to be and if your causin' no harm, then you're alright with me! What a beautiful way to go about living life.
Our sister’s birthday was fast approaching, and being her 30th, we wanted to get her something special, something she would have forever. Living in Brisbane, Queensland, we are often starved for fashion . . . cue net-a-porter! I often visit this website, simply to look at the beautiful fashion on offer, however here was the perfect opportunity to make my first online purchase at the phenomena that is net-a-porter. Here we found a truly exquisite Valentino scarf, 10% cashmere, 90% modal. I love the free-of-charge gift wrapping that net-a-porter offer, as well as the extra speedy delivery of our online purchase. 
