The dark side of veganism is to some extent related to the theme of thinking. If your reason for becoming a vegan is based on some kind of sudden awareness of the exploitation of animals and the environment created by humans, you are likely to be upset, angry, and outraged. Or even worse: you will feel helpless.

If you feel like this, know that this is common, so a whole book has been written on this topic. But because of this feeling of wystopia (psychological symptoms like depression, anxiety experienced by some people who have gone vegan for ethical reasons), other problems may arise.

Perhaps they will begin to perceive you as a preaching vegan because you are so preoccupied with the situation.

Such ardor (even if it is clear) can harm your personal relationships if you are not careful. People in your life may feel a threat from you. I understand it. A conversation begins about your beliefs compared to their beliefs when you try to communicate facts on behalf of animals that cannot participate or defend themselves in your heated debate.

I found a way to overcome this feeling – constantly thinking about what your life was like before you decided to become a vegan.

Indeed, I allowed myself positive memories of my life before veganism. For example, I think about the food that I used to enjoy, and about how I used to freely eat everything in a row.

Just as you need to create a vegan bubble around you, you also have to fight to stay in touch with the non-vegan world. It helps you maintain empathy and communication in these interactions as much as possible.

Three different approaches to becoming a vegan

There is no right or wrong path to become a vegan. The important thing is how you came to this.

Below are three traditional approaches to switching to a vegan lifestyle. Choose the one that suits you best.

1. Become a vegan right away

I am a vegan product of the night. To some, this sounds attractive and admirable, but to be honest, it’s just the way I usually do it. I am a person like “all or nothing.”

If you find it convenient for you to make fundamental changes in your life, then this may be the best approach for you.

Your story of the transition from “I am omnivorous” to “I am now vegan.” Boom!

Friends and family are in shock. You accept rumors and doubts about how long you will last. Because this is exactly what you are trying to do.

However, if you do not have that determination, becoming a vegan all of a sudden may not be for you. This approach is fraught with great expectations and pressure from both you and others.

Also, perhaps it will not be very useful to immediately become a vegan..

This, of course, if you are like me, and the transition to veganism also means eating differently. If you look like my wife, who before becoming a vegan, was mostly a vegetarian, then this will not be a big problem for you.

2. Become a vegan gradually

If you are patient by nature and want to take the time to listen to your body, then a gradual approach to veganism may be better for you.

This approach includes introducing more plant foods into the diet and gradually displacing animal products from your life. This is a great way to give your taste buds, your digestion, and consumer habits the ability to adapt for long-term sustainability.

The complexity of this approach, however, is that you need discipline to completely switch to a vegan diet when you continue to insure yourself with animal products.

And even when you eventually become vegan, will you not be more lenient with your vegan obligations? For example, you claim to be a vegan, but eat salmon in a restaurant on your wedding anniversary. Or you calmly eat eggs from home hens or honey.

Again, this is your choice, but with each decision to give yourself the freedom of action, you risk confusing the vegan message with the non-vegan one. Others see that you identify as a vegan, but behave differently.

It is important that, if you take this approach, you set specific steps and goals to become vegans, and not get stuck in the transition phase. Although the fact that you are ready to eat more plants already helps the animals. So let’s celebrate any progress! Just don’t create confusion.

3. Become a vegan through a vegan challenge (challenge)

This is perhaps my favorite of the three approaches.

The vegan challenge is the period during which you try the vegan lifestyle. You may have heard of Veganuary when people all over the world try their hand at vegan early in the year in January.

There are also many free online challenges, such as this 7-day contest in which you can take part.

Taking the challenge, you get the best of the two previous approaches. You quickly switch to veganism, but you can also plan your challenge and what you need to complete it.

When you know that you will try something only for a certain period, there is a feeling of concentration and a mood for fulfillment.

Then, at the end of your vegan call, you can decide whether you want to try it again for another period, or you can decide that it was easier than you expected and that you will continue.