Veganism Is Hard!
Print This Post
Of all the reasons not to go vegan, this is the one I hear the most. Now I’m not completely convinced that everyone who says it’s hard has ever tried it (or has ever really given it a chance), but I’m assuming they assume it is. I also think a lot of folks equate veganism with extremism and view vegans as uncompromising purists.
To some we’re seen as a special breed of humans with almost supernatural powers of self-control; strange beings who constantly deny ourselves all the good things in life and take pleasure in trying to make other people feel guilty all the time.
Not true. The vegans I know (including myself) lead rich and rewarding lives. They’re as normal (or abnormal) as anyone else and they enjoy and do many of the same things you do. They also respect life – all life – and have devoted themselves to peace, which just so happens to begin with what (or who) you put in your mouth.
And it’s not about trying to make people feel guilty; it’s about trying to make people feel something, anything! Because if they feel something for the animals, a connection, pity, something, maybe they’ll stop eating them.
Personally, I’ve never considered veganism hard and I’ve been vegan for 10 years now. I make almost all my own meals and when I do eat out, I go to places that have vegan selections. I’ve also found that most restaurants are willing to prepare your food the way you want it; all you have to do is ask (try ordering a vegan pizza in a restaurant and see how many people comment on how delicious it looks).
Instead of eating meat and other animal products, I enjoy a wide variety of plant-based foods I never dreamed of trying before becoming vegan. Chana masala (aka chick peas in a curry sauce) is now one of my favourite homemade dishes, although prior to going vegan I wouldn’t touch chick peas with a ten-foot pole. Oh how I’ve grown!
I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything or depriving myself but I do feel good knowing that my diet isn’t contributing to the suffering of others. Veganism isn’t about depriving yourself of things, but it does provide you with an opportunity to expand your food choices as well as your circle of compassion.
I also have no desire to use or wear anything that resulted in animals being tortured and killed, nor do I wish to see animals confined (zoos and marine parks) or abused (circuses and rodeos) for human amusement (the other part of veganism). Once I knew the truth about how these animals are made to suffer there was no going back.
But let’s say for a minute that veganism is hard (but not impossible). So what? A lot of things are hard, like waking up early for work, going to school, doing the dishes, cleaning your room, dealing with your mother-in-law, obeying the speed limit, telling the truth, being faithful to your partner and helping others. Did I miss anything?
My point is there are things that a) we need to do to survive and get by in the world, and b) we should be doing because they make us better human beings and the world a better place. Sometimes it’s hard to do the right thing but it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do the right thing. And going vegan is the right thing. Not just for me or a select few but for everyone who believes in kindness, compassion and the golden rule.
Veganism is a commitment to peace and a stand against the exploitation of those who are weaker than us. Excluding animal products from your life is not the end of the world, but it might just be the beginning of the end to all the violence and unnecessary suffering in the world.
Veganism IS hard, think about it. The average non-vegan person can walk into any restaurant at any time and order anything they want. Same goes for groceries, clothing, etc etc. It might be getting easier but it’s far less convenient as not being vegan.
The sooner vegan advocates can admit it, the more credibility we can build (which is a growing problem). Instead of wasting our time trying to convince people how easy it is we should instead focus on why it’s worth it for the non-human animals involved.
Vegan Chicago,
I think what you’re describing is convenience, not difficulty. These are two different things. And I never said veganism was easy. What I said was, I PERSONALLY have never found veganism hard. I actually wrote, “Sometimes it’s hard to do the right thing but it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do the right thing. And going vegan is the right thing.” I will concede that for some people it may be difficult, especially in the beginning, but it’s not impossible.
My point is that a lot of things are difficult, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do them (being environmentally responsible may be difficult, being a mother or father may be difficult at times, etc, etc.). If the right motivation is there – trying to eliminate animal suffering – then, in my opinion, that’s half, or three-quarters of the battle.
I also don’t think telling people that veganism is hard will convince a whole lot of them to go vegan, even if they want to, nor do I believe that educating people about all aspects of veganism (including how easy it can be) is a waste of time.
What would you say if someone approached you and wanted your help to go vegan? Would you say, “It’s hard but you need to do it for the animals” or would you say, “No problem, let me show you what you can eat and where you can find it.”???
I think you, and the person, would have more success with the latter. Think positive!
.-= Daniel´s last blog ..Veganism is hard! =-.
Thanks for the article, Daniel.
I agree, being a vegan is not hard. I live in an area with limited resources. In a very small town in the middle of the woods, around a bunch of rednecks. Still, it’s easy being vegan, just not. . . convenient.
But, I nobody dies on my account!
Speaking up about veganism – whether you say it’s easy or not – is never, ever ‘wasting our time.’ Even if there’s some particular wrong way to advocate for veganism, it’s not actually causing any real harm. The harm is caused by all the vegans (and the vegetarians, too) who never speak up!
Moreover, ease is subjective. I spent 30 years thinking veganism was difficult and using it as an excuse to stay vegetarian. Then I moved and realized that I had all these vegan options I’d never tried before. That and the willingness of a loving partner made all the difference in the world. Now, being vegan truly is easy for me!
I agree, I don’t think veganism is hard at all. I went vegan 4.5 years ago overnight, and I haven’t looked back. I think the only way veganism is hard, is if you make it hard. If you put all your energy is thinking about what you CANNOT eat, instead of what you CAN eat.
I’ve developed a lot of food allergies over the years,and one of the most valuable things my naturopathic doctor told me while I was about to embark on the allergy elimination diet: focus on what you CAN eat not on what you CANNOT eat. Best piece of advice!
Well-written, Daniel, and good point. The heart of your post is that even if you find it difficult you should do it anyway. I agree, and I also agree with your comment on helping those who find it hard. There are many theories on why most humans resist doing the right thing when it means admitting that they weren’t doing the right thing previously, but once they have admitted it is the right thing to do it’s such a small step to actually going vegan.
When I meet people who say this to me, I usually say “It’s getting easier”. I may expand that a bit by offering to help now.
I have been a vegan for about five years now! And i love it, I love every minute of it. YEs, it was a bit tough in the beginning but I also, like you mentioned above, don’t feel a sense that i am really denying myself of anything or really constraining myself that much. I do it because I want to, and I feel good as a result of that.
Great Article! I live in Portland Oregon and being a Vegan is easy here. Everywhere across the city there are great resturants that cater to the vegan lifestyle. I take it for granted that other cities may not have it this good.
.-= YourYogi´s last blog ..Dental Disease is Dreadful… =-.
I’m a consultant and travel for work- my fridge is empty because I’m never home long enough to bother with grocery shopping and cooking. Yet I don’t think being a vegan is HARD in the sense of being tempted to eat animal products. It can be annoying that the rest of the world isn’t vegan, and sometimes I eat more salad than I’d really like, but I do manage to find veg-friendly restaurants when I travel- Indian, Thai, some burrito places… The point is that once you’ve been vegan for awhile, non-veg food looks more like death and less like a yummy snack, so there is no temptation.