Being vegan may be the best and the worst thing I have ever done, but I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon. Here are the ten things I've learned since I first became vegan in 2017.
1. Being vegan is a lot easier than you'd expect.
Garth telling us that being vegan is too easy.
Once you get the hang of it, being vegan is SO easy. Especially at the beginning when you're so motivated and ready to change the world and prove everyone who didn't believe in you wrong.
Although I do suggest going vegetarian before you go vegan, it makes the transition a lot easier.
2. Being vegan is a lot harder than you'd expect.
The Joker telling us how difficult it actually is.
Yes, very contradictory from my last statement, but still very true. The first year and a half of being vegan was utter bliss. And then my resolve slowly lessened and I was left with the strong sensation to risk it all for a free donut. Questions like: Who will know if I cheat and why should they care? started being asked.
3. When you become vegan, people will be praying for your downfall.
Me every time someone told me I couldn't last as a vegan.
Sure there are the people who are so supportive of your efforts and are happy to help you succeed, but more often than not, you will have friends who are waiting, hoping, and praying that you will cave so they can stop trying to look for vegan options every time they want to go out to eat with you.
4. People take you more seriously when you hit your veganniversary.
My parents when I told them it had been a year since I became vegan.
Once you hit the one year mark, people finally start to realize that you are truly committed to this. And, trust me, the year will go by so fast.
5. Be patient, the vegan options are coming, slowly, but surely
Shoutout to Ben & Jerry's for always being there for me.
Every once and awhile I have had a favorite restaurant or brand come out and say that they now have vegan options and that truly makes everything worthwhile. Shoutout to Ben and Jerry's for getting different vegan ice cream flavors, it is truly appreciated.
6. You may resort to smelling your friend's food
... I only miss cheese a little.
Okay, this is so weird, but I do it all the time. I smell their pizza, their burgers, random desserts. It's nice to remember through smell how something tastes and the pizza my friends get from Fountain reminds me of this skating place from my hometown.
Again I know it's so strange and not completely necessary, but I mostly do it for the nostalgia.
7. It's easier to be vegan in Europe
Restaurant with vegan options in Austria.
Nandi Smith
The vegan options in Europe are ENDLESS. I fully expected to be forced to have dairy while I spent my month abroad, but I completely forgot that Europeans are known to be healthier than Americans and seem to like vegans a lot more. There was a vegan option at EVERY restaurant we went to.
Seriously.
8. Being vegan is easier when you have vegan friends
Vegan Thanksgiving!
Nandi Smith
I still use a pancake recipe my friend gave me over a year ago. It's nice to have a community of people who are in the trenches with you. Supporting you and understanding all of the triumphs and struggles. And it's nice when you're not the only one people have to worry about when a meal is being decided.
9. Finding the vegan community on Youtube may be the best thing that happens to you
This is kinda similar to #8, but it's so nice to be able to watch vegan "What I Eat In A Day" videos and get recipe ideas. Some of my favorite vegan youtube channels are Supreme Banana, Emily Ewing, applesandamandas, and Caitlin Shoemaker.
10. There is no such thing as the perfect vegan
Me eating a beignet, which may or may not be vegan.
Nandi Smith
You WILL make mistakes. It's guaranteed. But it's important to not feel guilty when you do. Have I eaten dairy or eggs since becoming vegan? YES. Was it on accident? ...Sometimes. What I've learned though, is that if you take it too seriously, it stops being fun. A lot of the time when I feel like I want to give up, I just go to a restaurant with really good vegan options and remember how fun being vegan can be.
Being vegan can be difficult, but it is really rewarding to know that you're making a difference.
And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
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