What I Learned About Kindness Toward People After More Than Five Years as a Vegan
I have been a vegan since 2019. An increasingly diverse social life evolved in recent years. This includes collaborating with people who have different understandings or attitudes towards veganism and plant-based diets. The best representation of positive veganism includes peace and kindness towards non-vegans and people who live contrasting lifestyles.
Reassure people that you are not pressuring or judging them
It’s easier said than done. We all consider ideal ways to live. However, we need to remember that every person has freedom. We can have opinions, but very few people will change their behaviour after being judged. You can more effectively support a cause by being patient with people are live beyond that space.
Appeal to people’s existing values
I sincerely prefer to use vegan products whenever possible because it feels comfortable for me. I am not an activist for the vegan cause in any overly public way. It’s a wonderful intention when other people do that sort of campaigning, but I prefer to highlight any benefits of the lifestyle habits that simply feel good.
Most people want to feel healthy. My energy fluctuates despite my mostly healthy diet because I experience stress, insomnia, and other personal issues. However, food provides inner confidence. I follow medical experts to understand the benefits of consuming whole plants. Everyone should see the teachings from Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, Dr. Kristi Funk, The Physicians Committee, NutritionFacts, and the Esselstyn family. If weight loss or health is your thing, have a look.
Meanwhile, many people simply want to save money on groceries. A vegan shopping list can be filled with expensive or affordable foods, just like any other trolley. Here’s what I know for sure. Basic whole plants saved costs in my tightest weeks and months or when I wanted more abundant quantities of foods. I’m a fan of oats, dry beans, lentils, brown rice, organic wholemeal pasta, and seasonal produce. I also look for fruits and vegetables that have a lower unit price in the supermarket. I get bulk boxes of organic produce when possible. Regardless of their dietary lifestyle, anyone can experience abundance from these affordable ingredients.
Being a vegan taught me that the lifestyle will feel more relatable when focusing on the values that are relevant to each individual person. You can use a similar approach when sharing your own preferences. Connect it to what someone already knows and understands.
Stereotypes Happen
My veg life is one of the top aspects people stereotype and misunderstand. It’s totally worth the hurdles because I adore living this way, even though some communities need a bit more information. I gained practice in overcoming assumptions. To be honest, I didn’t initially know how to handle it.
I am involved in one caring community that often assumes I am gluten-free. They may even miss the difference between that and veganism. Enough people have asked if I can eat bread. The best solution is to bust myths with calm, clear explanations.
Your Normal Contrasts with Other People’s Normal
The everyday habits were my version of normal. I would forget how some people aren’t familiar with simple swaps. Yogurt is a great example. I would pick soy yogurt or maybe coconut as a second choice. Every major supermarket has some form of dairy-free yogurt to pick from. It’s useful for anyone who avoids lactose, feels comfortable reducing dairy, or may also live fully vegan. It exists for a bunch of purposes. However, some individuals only think of dairy. They might assume the only option is yogurt or no yogurt. I learned to patiently inform people when necessary, explaining easy solutions.
Keep It Simple
Folks generally want any task or change to be quick, easy, and minimal. This is why there is great success for five-minute, five-ingredient, or beginner’s recipes. Did you know you can make a wrap bread by blending dry red lentils and water and then pan-frying a thin layer like a pancake? It’s two ingredients. A couple of steps. If you are introducing anyone to a way of life they have barely experienced, simply and then simplify more.
Don’t Obsess
I have comfortable ongoing friendships with non-vegans because I don’t obsess about my veganism in all conversations. To be clear, I eat vegan food and use vegan materials whenever possible. But, as mentioned, it’s just one part of me. There are other things to focus on. I am enjoying bringing a bit more attention to this aspect of a conscious lifestyle. It’s a piece of the puzzle. Frankly, I have friendships in which I mainly chat about something other than lifestyle in general. Some connections are about communication, creativity, and community… the lesson is to be a rounded human.
Ethics Have Grey Areas
Whether we prioritise health, the environment, reducing harm, or quality food experiences, every side has grey areas. It’s not all black and white. I don’t know if mainstream crayons are free from animal products. Some hotels have leather lounges. We are in the world and not in a bubble. I would not choose a clearly omnivorous food because it doesn’t feel physically comfortable. That’s my individual choice. That being said, I don’t panic about traces in mostly unlikely cross-contamination. It’s more important to eat than not eat.
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Vegan quinoa burger with avocado. Image: Unsplash, edited
