Like any lifestyle change, beginning the vegan journey to a more compassionate life can be a little challenging at first. These 5 Steps will be like a road map to help you navigate your way:
- Reduce Meat and Dairy Consumption
- Get Informed
- End the Violence
- Find Alternatives
- Get Involved
Reduce Meat and Dairy Consumption
Cut Down and Then Cut Out Meat…and Eventually Dairy
I am sure you have heard of certain “all-star” vegan conversion stories. The stories that boast after learning the truth about the meat industry and it’s negative effects to animals, ourselves and our planet, the person never touched meat or dairy again. Well congratulations to them. Seriously. That’s awesome, but it is also not the reality for most of us.
Most of us grew up in families that ate meat and dairy frequently. Many of our favorite memories are woven together with some sort of meaty, cheesy meal always present. Letting all that go instantly is not easy. Instead, strive to make incremental changes in your diet.
Begin by choosing a day or two a week to abstain from meat. After a couple weeks have the balance switch so that meat-meal days are less than plant-based meal days. Then when you are ready completely remove meat from the menu.
The same thing goes for dairy and eggs. Start out by reducing how much you consume weekly. Maybe if you are getting a sub sandwich, hold the cheese. I bet you’ll be surprised by how you likely won’t even notice it’s gone with all the other topping piled in between the two slices of bread. Eventually, after reducing these foods bit by bit and replacing them with plant-based alternatives (more in Tip 4: Find Alternatives), you can remove them completely.
It’s a process. And it is totally okay if you don’t take the “all-star” route. I didn’t. The important thing is that I wasn’t overly discouraged along the journey and so kept with it. You can too!
Get Informed
Knowledge is power, and the more you know about the what is going on with industrialized meat and dairy, the more you will feel strengthened to stand against it. Veganism is a journey towards greater compassion and to have compassion, we must be aware of the reality of our world.
The more I became aware of what really took place on factory farms, beauty testing, fashion industry and the effects of industrial animal livestock on the climate, the more I wanted to be a part of the change. So much of what is going on is hidden from public view. We are often given idealistic pictures of what it is like to be a farm animal and we don’t question it much.
One of the most prominent slogans that stuck with me was “Happy Cheese Comes From Happy Cows. Happy Cows Come From California.” I am a California native, and that always made me happy. I believed those words and I supported my state by buying more and more cheese. I truly thought I was living compassionately.
But once I became more informed through books, documentaries and lectures, I realized what I saw on TV wasn’t reality. The reality that farm animals face daily is far from idealistic. Once I understood that, I could no longer remain the same.
Even after almost 5 years of being a vegetarian, I remain adamant about seeking more information. And reminding me of things I already knew. Because despite knowing, in the world we live in, sometimes you can still brush the truth aside. So, getting and staying informed is essential to starting and continuing the vegan journey.
End the Violence
After recognizing the reality that animals are suffering immensely at the hand of human desire, you must commit to eliminating your contribution to that suffering. Yes, no matter what we will always unintentionally cause suffering to some degree, but our important role is to end all intentional suffering, and actively seek ways to lessen unintentional suffering as well.
By reducing and eventually elimination the consumption of meat and dairy, we have already decreased our contribution of intentional suffering. But veganism doesn’t end at a plant-based diet. Next we must stop supporting businesses and products that contribute to suffering.
This includes businesses such as Sea World, most Zoos and Circuses. It also includes beauty product lines that use animal-testing and fashion lines that carry fabrics made from leather, wool and silk. It even includes cleaning supplies, household products and soaps that are made with animal-derivatives such as lye ()* As we continue to investigate and stay informed, we begin to realize just how much of the products and services we use contribute to the suffering of others.
We live in a market-driven world. Demand drives supply. We have purchasing power and can resist cruelty by decreasing the demand for products and services that contribute to suffering.
Find Alternatives
As we stop supporting businesses and products that contribute to animal cruelty, it is essential to find alternatives to these things. Especially some of our old favorites. If we fail to replace old habits with newer positive habits, we find ourselves in a losing battle. Instead, open up to all the possibilities around you!
Love ice cream? Check out all the non-dairy ice cream desserts that are out there. Even Ben and Jerry’s has options to satisfy your newly developed vegan sweet tooth. Love grilling hot dogs over the BBQ with a cold beer in your hand? You’re in luck! There are all sorts of vegan alternatives. Field Roast is one of my favorites by far, but there are so many brands that are delicious, affordable, and widely distributed to most supermarkets—not just at Whole Foods and specialty stores.
Love make-up? Find brands that are cruelty-free yet still fabulous. Love the world of high fashion? Find innovative brands such as Elf, Vaute Couture and more so you don’t miss out on the new trends. Whatever it is, I guarantee there are compassionate companies and people creating it without causing animals all the harm.
The important thing to keep us going on this journey is to avoid feeling like we are missing out. In reality, the doors are opening up to a whole new world of foods and products that you probably never knew existed before.
Get Involved
With the combined actions above, we have already started to seriously reduce our negative impact. But it is also important to continue contributing positively. We strengthen our resolve by getting involved while also contribute to a larger goal to create a more compassionate world.
Getting involved with groups and people who support animal welfare, helps surround us with like-minded people that create an invaluable community. We gain new friends, both human and non-human that help us to gain a broader view of the world. This benefits us all. We gain a support-network that can provide help and guidance, as well as a good time.
One of my most cherished memories with my best friend and her boyfriend was visiting Farm Sanctuary for a freedom “birthday” celebration of two wonderful pigs. They are longtime supporters of this Rescue Sanctuary, and they invited me to join in. We had a beautiful afternoon spending time with the animals and celebrating life. It’s an afternoon I won’t forget.
We support the increase of compassion in our world when we get involved. I mentioned we live in a market-driven world. Our purchasing power can not only drive supply down for products that contribute to suffering, it can also increase the supply of ethically-produced products. Thus, making cruelty-free products and business more available and successful.
We can even contribute our other skills and talents to help support cruelty-free businesses and organizations. Get out and volunteer. Volunteering has actually been shown repeatedly to benefit the volunteer just as much if not more so than the recipient. Look at what you have and consider donating some extra to organizations that share your passion. Or we can just keep spreading the word.
Start Your Journey Today
Remember, being vegan is not about perfection. It is about staying aware. It is about opening your eyes to the suffering we intentionally and unintentionally cause, and seeking ways to reduce that suffering.
That’s part of why I like to think of it as a journey. As you start a journey, you don’t always know the best way forward, but you just keeping going. With time and practice, you become more comfortable and capable along your journey. Things that were once a challenge become routine and completed with ease.
It’s a process. Stay positive and just keep journeying.
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