I’ve been vegan for around five months now and was vegetarian for seven years before. I’d always wanted to be vegan but it was only this year that I finally took the leap. I’m not going to dive into my reasons since that would be a whole other post in itself, but I can whole-heartedly say that I’m content with my new lifestyle and it isn’t as hard as I imagined.
However, being vegan in a meat-eater’s world illuminated certain points from the very start, which have been challenging to navigate. It can make social events difficult and awkward at times, though I don’t regret my decision at all. Once you get used to said points, they become a natural part of life that are pretty simple to manage. So, I’m writing this post today to give you a snapshot into the things I’ve noticed, which might help if you’re considering veganism yourself.
- You become aware of cruelty that you can’t unsee
I’m getting this point out of the way because it’s the most preachy-sounding, but it’s an inevitable realisation if you’re vegan for ethical reasons. I was vegetarian because I liked animals, but going vegan has opened my eyes to the exploitation in the dairy and egg industries that vegetarianism doesn’t account for. Some vegans don’t like vegetarians because they think it’s an inefficient attempt to minimise cruelty, which I’m beginning to understand.
With that being said, I don’t act sanctimoniously with neither vegetarians nor meat eaters because I’m new to it myself and I won’t convince people that way. I don’t really bring up my veganism unless I’m asked or it’s relevant (like deciding where to eat), but when I do mention it, I gently inform instead of letting it become an argument.
2. People comment on it constantly
This applied even when vegetarian, but it happens far more often now. My veganism means that people think they’re entitled to offer their opinion on what or why I eat how I do. I don’t mind if it’s out of genuine curiosity because, as I just said, I use it to educate people. However, it gets tiring when people are blatantly rude or bring up unjustified arguments against my lifestyle.
I’ve noticed that in the majority of cases, people feign interest in why I’m vegan until I bring up a valid point, which is when they jump to defend. To me, it implies that they were never open to learning and were assuming I’d say something vague. Because of this, I don’t subscribe to the stereotype that ‘you can spot a vegan from a mile away because they won’t shut up about it’ – it’s more often the meat-eater feeling the need to defend themselves!
3. There’s a vegan version of everything
Those who know nothing about veganism seem to think that it’s really hard and I have to buy a special version of everything, but that’s far from true. Bread is almost always vegan, most supermarket cereals are vegan, as well as many biscuits and crisps. Since I didn’t eat meat before, I was already accustomed to meat-free protein sources like chickpeas, lentils and tofu, so this was no struggle.
For me, the surprising part was how many products are on offer in the free from aisle. There are several different cheeses, yoghurts, chocolates and even ice creams. It’s possible to veganise any recipe, even those that rely on animal products like meringue or French toast, as the world has come a long way. I strongly believe that any non-vegan could go to a supermarket and find vegan products they love.
4. …but it can be a struggle eating out at certain places
There have been plenty of stressful times where I’m looking for somewhere to eat, scouring nearby menus to no avail. It makes me feel awkward when I’m with others since I’m seen as the difficult one, although I think the restaurants make it difficult by offering no vegan options! I’m not a picky eater so I’ll often settle if there’s at least one, but even that’s the bare minimum.
I’m lucky to live in a big city with a plethora of vegan-friendly restaurants. However, I’m aware that it won’t necessarily be this easy if you live elsewhere. I’ve learnt that adapting menu items is necessary at times, like asking for a vegetarian breakfast without egg or butter, but there will almost always be a way to ensure there’s food in your mouth.
5. It makes me more appreciative of my food
On the whole, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the range of vegan options I’ve discovered and how I can still eat with omnivore friends. This fills me with gratitude because I get to eat in a way that’s not only nutritious, but also friendly to the planet and animals. In my vegetarian days, I’d sometimes be hit with thoughts about the cows whose milk I’ve unrightfully taken for my meal, but I now take comfort that nothing was harmed on my plate.
Some people think veganism is a restrictive way to live because of everything we have to ‘give up’, but I see it as the very opposite. Although there are foods I won’t eat anymore, I encourage myself to experiment with new foods so it’s never boring. I also feel liberated, not restricted, by eating delicious food that aligns with my personal values. And last but not least, I can educate people in the process, all while contributing to demand for vegan food.
I didn’t write this post to coerce you into veganism, so I hope you don’t take it as such. I’ve tried to remain neutral by exploring both the positive and inconvenient aspects since that is the reality of being vegan today. I’m never going to pretend it’s easy all the time, because it definitely isn’t, but I also don’t believe it’s as hard as many people claim it is. I’m also mindful that the UK is a relatively easy country to be vegan, whereas it would be far more difficult in countries with a smaller vegan population.
Becoming vegan is one of the best decisions I’ve made this year and I’d never go back. In spite of the difficulties that come with it, I strongly believe the greatest help is reminding myself of my ‘why’. I think this is why some people try veganism and ‘fail’ – they don’t have a strong enough reason. So, if you want to try but you’re struggling, I suggest you get clear and passionate about the reasons you want to adopt an animal-free lifestyle; only then can you thrive on the vegan journey.
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