My friend Ashley has eaten a plant-based diet for as long as I’ve known her (at least 4-5 years), and has never once told another person what they should or shouldn’t eat. That said, her enthusiasm about what she chooses to consume makes people curious as to the benefits they could see by changing their own habits. Many of her friends have adopted vegetarian or vegan diets, or even just became more intentional about what they eat, including myself.
I’ve had a similar experience with my lifestyle choices. People ask a lot of questions about meal prepping, not owning a car or investing, and are interested to learn why I do the things I do. Some of those folks go on to incorporate some of my daily practices into their own lives, without anyone ever telling them to do so.
No one likes to be told what they should or shouldn’t do, so the best way I’ve found to influence the people around you is to lead by example. Whether it’s riding a bike or making a dope vegan mac n cheese, live a life that others are drawn to and eager to learn more about, and those people willing to change will do so on their own.
#MoneyGoals
Pictured: Influencing a small child by keeping her in hand. Temperance River State Park, MN / July 2019