8 Essential Tips from an Vegan Expert on Handling Challenging Opinions and Pressures for Beginners

Hi, I am Sabina. You don't know me, but many vegans in Azerbaijan do. I am a co-founder of the first Vegan Society of Azerbaijan in 2017 where we hosted numerous meetings with vegans and fundraised. We encouraged each other to stay vegan even though the culture was not ready for it. Later, when I started traveling, I realized that many vegans experience this all over the world.

As a vegan with years of experience living in various locations, from a small town in Azerbaijan or Spain to the huge capitals of Turkey and Denmark, I’ve faced unique challenges along the way. Regardless of where I’ve lived, there have been common themes and experiences that I’d like to share to help set realistic expectations for those considering a vegan lifestyle. The well-being of vegans is an important topic, and understanding the challenges and rewards can be helpful for the community.

1. Your vegan mindset may change over time, and that’s perfectly normal.

Recognizing that veganism is a lifestyle, it’s only natural for your thoughts, feelings, and actions, as well as those of others, to shift from strict to flexible and vice versa. Changing your thoughts is a part of this journey, so don’t be too hard on yourself. The world is evolving rapidly, with people having more opportunities, such as changing jobs, career paths, having multiple partners in a lifetime, or relocating to different cities, countries, or continents. All of these factors create different settings for our thinking, which might impact our vegan lifestyle. It’s essential not to underestimate the significance of a vegan lifestyle, as it encompasses all aspects of living situations.

2. Your friends and family member will/might share their opinion about your lifestyle, stay motivated.

Every vegan goes through this when they start sharing their vegan journey. People seems to become an expert on nutrition and ethics when discussing vegan lifestyle. Since veganism may not be well-understood in many countries, people might not realize how their comments can negatively impact the motivation of newly vegan individuals. Discouragement should not be normalized. I would suggest understanding why people act this way before sharing the news with your family, that can create a healthier expectation to an unhealthy family situation. At times, you might feel overwhelmed by all these opinions, and that’s okay. The key is open and honest communication, and if that doesn’t work, it’s okay to let it go. You don’t have to conform to the expectations of others.

3. You have a right to decline to reply questions.

Despite the fact that more people are becoming open to the vegan lifestyle, it’s still not that common. You might find yourself being the only vegan in your family, among friends, at your workplace, or during various ceremonies or gatherings. People often ask questions out of curiosity or for the sake of debate. It’s important to remember that your time and energy are valuable, and you’re not obligated to respond to all the inquiries.

Response №1: “Thank you for your curiosity. However, I’d prefer not to engage in such heated conversations right now. I’d like to enjoy the moment. I hope that’s okay.”

Response №2: “That’s an interesting question, but you know, I’ve been asked a lot of questions like this, and I’d really like to discuss something else. However, if you’re genuinely curious, I’d be happy to answer 1 or 2 questions. Is that okay?”

4. You don’t have to be involved in animal rights activities or actively create awareness.

One of the most amazing aspects of being part of the vegan community is that, despite being a relatively small group of people, vegans manage to make their voices heard and establish connections worldwide. However, there are times when being vegan may not be the top priority in your life; it simply means that you are vegan, and that’s perfectly acceptable. You may choose not to participate in animal rights activities, attend gatherings, build a large circle of vegan friends, or donate to events. Ultimately, each person has one life to live, and they can make choices within ethical considerations. It’s important to own your time and decisions, and that’s perfectly okay.

5. You don’t always have to eat healthy, just because you are vegan.

Many vegans do choose to eat healthily for various reasons, such as limited vegan products in their area, the inherently healthy nature of a plant-based diet, or a personal preference for a healthy lifestyle. However, there is a common misconception that being vegan requires eating healthy, and vegans are often criticized for consuming vegan junk food more than non-vegan individuals. Let’s agree that eating healthily is not a mandatory aspect of being vegan, and people shouldn’t pressure vegans to do so.

Maintaining a healthy diet is a way to care for your body, ensuring it remains healthy and vibrant during your time in the world. Regardless of whether you are vegan or non-vegan, everyone is encouraged to make somewhat healthy dietary choices to protect their health for ethical and economic reasons.

6. Vegan struggles are common; you are not alone.

People often tend to avoid sharing ideas that might make them appear vulnerable. However, I firmly believe that in this context, vulnerability doesn’t signify weakness but rather reflects our humanity, honesty, and naturalness. Hopefully, the world will gradually come to recognize this. I constantly remind myself that just a decade ago, there were limited vegan options, and both people and companies lacked awareness about veganism. Back then, we, as vegans, were challenging an environment that had normalized the unnatural and often cruel treatment of animals for various purposes.

Being the only vegan in a group or maintaining a relationship with someone who isn’t committed to veganism can indeed be challenging. However, isolating oneself within the vegan community can also have limitations.

Despite the fact that many people tend to avoid admitting it, it’s crucial to understand that most individuals contemplate quitting the vegan lifestyle from time to time. This isn’t because they no longer believe in its principles but rather because the journey can be overwhelming. However, many of them ultimately choose to remain vegan because it feels wonderful to be part of a movement that avoids harming animals and aims to create a foundation for a fair world for future generations. If you’re struggling, know that you are not alone; we all face challenges along this path.

7. It is going to be challenging.

The vegan lifestyle encompasses more than just dietary choices; it extends to everything we use, touch, smell, and feel. Many people transition to veganism in adulthood, which means they have established a foundation of a different lifestyle associated with items they will no longer use. Food and products are not merely items but also hold memories and connections to people, beliefs, traditions, and one’s socio-economic environment. Adapting to these changes takes time and can be challenging. There may be moments when you no longer share a steak with your dad at his favorite restaurant or can’t use a pillow your grandma made with leather. Giving up your favorite makeup brands can also be tough.

Challenges are a common part of embarking on a new path in life. While it may be difficult at first, we have the opportunity to create new memories, whether it’s by dining at vegan restaurants that evoke the warmth of beloved family get-togethers.

8. Sometimes, vegans overwhelm other vegans.

It’s entirely natural to become strict, in other way, passionate about veganism, as it stems from a genuine desire to end cruelty towards animals, including practices like hunting, meat consumption, fur usage, and animal testing for cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, among others. However, meat consumption has a deeply rooted and complex history intertwined with traditions, socio-economics, religions, and more. Asking the world to change everything overnight is an impossible feat, but we started by gradually ushering in a new era.

On the other hand, it’s often easier to encourage an individual who has already committed to veganism to maintain their lifestyle. It’s somewhat ironic that within the vegan community, individuals can sometimes overwhelm others when veganism isn’t their sole priority. However, as a relatively small community making a significant impact on the world, it’s crucial to grasp the complexity of each person’s choices and life circumstances. Let’s work to destigmatize this and recognize that everyone’s journey towards veganism is unique and shaped by various factors.