Top tips for going VEGAN

Everyone is different.

Everyone has their own reasons for doing what they do and their own motivation. Everyone attempts the things they do in their own way.

Most of us weren't lucky enough to be brought up vegan. For some it isn't a huge change, for others it is a complete lifestyle overhaul. There is no wrong or right way of doing it and there is no time restriction.

Veganism isn't black or white either, it can be a spectrum and it's up to you how far you go and how much you think you can do. Some vegans are a bit all or nothing, and that can be intimidating to newbies, but just like people think that one voice can't make a difference, we know all those voices add up, and on that note, I believe that every little action makes a difference in the grand scheme of things. Maybe that means I'm "not vegan enough", but someone partaking in Meatless Monday is still better than nothing. I guarantee we all once said, "I could never go vegan because..."


So, here's my top tips if you're thinking of veganism and living a more cruelty free life:

1. Go at your own pace 

Some people do it overnight, and that's fine. Some people take a year of transitioning, like I did, cutting out little bits at a time, making a few replacements here and there, until it became normal, and that's ok too. Don't feel like you have to answer to anyone other than yourself. Believe me it gets easier as you go along

And following on from that...

2. Don't feel bad if you make a mistake

You will make mistakes. Some knowingly and some unknowingly. I've seen a lot of people on social media who get really upset about it and feel like they have to confess... you don't! It really doesn't matter, mistakes help us learn. So what if you bought something that looked vegan but then someone tells you it isn't because of the vitamin D in it (like the soya milk above), how were you to know? Just move along, and use that to educate others.

3. What is my motivation?

Whenever you're finding it tough and thinking "I just want to be 'normal' like my family/friends/colleagues/whatever" just take a few steps back and think about why it is you decided you wanted to try the whole vegan thing. Or maybe think about what it has become to you since those first thoughts... maybe at first, like us, you thought "Oh okay, I'm having some stomach trouble, maybe it's dairy? Maybe I should look into this..." and then after looking into it you're like "I AM NEVER DRINKING COW TITTY JUICE AGAIN, those poor babies *cries*".

Whatever it is that motivates you, go back there to that place, re-watch that documentary or find that image your friend shared on Facebook. Go further, have a binge on Netflix to reaffirm that dairy is scary, or have a scroll through the hashtags on Instagram until you feel sick! There was a spark there when you first started this, sometimes you just need a little reminder..

4. Don't get too intense

This kind of links back to number two, but what I want to say is don't try and tick every box all at once. Particularly with the food part, don't stress over getting all the nutrients and protein and don't listen to that expert at work about B12... as long as you're eating enough, you're okay. I guarantee you didn't have a perfect diet as an omnivore, and were you ever concerned about your B12 then? Thought not.

5. Find vegan alternatives

Don't feel like if you go vegan you have to be the perfect wholefoods health nut. There are so many alternatives now to what you're used to, and it can really help at first. It is okay to still be craving those familiar tastes you've had your whole life, eating some vegan cheese or vegan chicken is in no way bad, we still have certain tastes and textures we want to emulate. Very few of us go vegan because we don't like the taste. Start by looking at what you'd normally eat and how you could "veganize" it, spaghetti and meatballs can still taste like spaghetti and meatballs!

6. Research is fun!

The Internet has been the best resource for me. I didn't know anyone who was veggie or vegan before I started looking into it. And now there are so much available! A quick Google brings up tons of websites including loads of info on The Vegan Society website and the Veganuary website, Facebook groups are really helpful for finding new products or recipe ideas, I'd recommend joining local ones too, and for me especially, Instagram has such a wonderful community spirit and endless ideas and support.

7. Go to a vegan festival 

Do it. Just do it. Even if you go alone, it is so much fun to be in a big room full of like-minded people surrounded by delicious food and inspiration!

8. Have fun with it!

Don't see it as a chore like a diet, you are doing such a wonderful thing by going vegan, you are caring and compassionate and you are aligning your actions with your thinking and so try not to get too upset by the bad things and remember all the good you are doing!