Sitting at my grandparent’s farm one year ago, in a rare brave moment, I declared I would be vegan. However, despite my desire to better myself and the world through this lifestyle, I had lots of doubts. The main doubt was in me. I wasn’t sure if I’d last. Did I really have the willpower to turn down that crispy KFC chicken wing when offered? What would I do about cookie dough ice cream? What if I broke? Everyone expected me to anyways.
I’m the kind of person that starts a million things but rarely finishes. Despite my doubts, I pressed on. I turned down that KFC and avoided the ice cream aisle at all costs. I ate bland vegetables and drank lots of smoothies. Slowly, I started to feel better. Over time, I discovered recipes that somehow made vegetables actually taste good. My taste buds changed, and I even started craving healthy foods. Shopping in the produce section became my favorite kind of shopping. I felt healthier than ever.
Today, I’m back at my grandparents’ farm, listening to the birds chirping and thinking back over the past year. With so many changes like graduating college, finishing an internship, and getting married, I’ve stuck to my convictions. I’m proud to say I have been vegan for a full year.
People ask me all the time if this “veganism thing” is just a phase. Eventually, I’ll go back to eating meat and dairy, right? Now that I have been vegan for a year, I can say that I will never turn back. Veganism is not a phase or diet; it’s a lifestyle. And I plan on keeping this lifestyle for the rest of my life.
When I first began, it was tough
Over the last year, vegan eating has changed me. When I first started, the first week, I was hungry. I couldn’t figure out what to eat, and my stomach started rebelling. It was so used to being pumped with calories all day, every day, that when I couldn’t find a vegan salad dressing or fill my stomach with enough vegetables, it rebelled. Suddenly, I was craving bizarre foods that I don’t even like, just because they weren’t vegan. Honestly, when I first started, I wasn’t prepared. But I was determined.
I started using all my “social media” veg time to find vegan recipes. Watching a million vegan YouTube channels and drooling at all the delicious food, I picked the recipes to try (I love cooking, so I may have overdone it), and paid a gigantic grocery bill. I tried and failed with many, MANY recipes. And I got some to work.
In the beginning, I struggled. But the more people asked me when I would give up, the more I dug in my heels. Shopping on a budget became easier. I found the recipes I loved. I even got better at talking to other people about what I was doing.
My point in all this is even if you feel like you’re struggling to be a “good” vegan, it does get easier. I promise. Hold on a little longer. Try more recipes you see online. Don’t be afraid to fail sometimes. I’ve eaten many foods that I thought were vegan only to find out later weren’t. You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.
What kind of difference can I really make?
Whether you are a long-time vegan, just interested in learning more, or anywhere in-between, here are some facts that I hope will show you the impact one year of veganism has.
According to The Vegan Calculator, in one year, a vegan saves 401,500 gallons of water, 14,600 pounds of grain, 10,950 square feet of forest, 7,300 pounds of CO2, and 365 animal lives. Ignoring the environmental impact for just a moment, look at that last number. 365 animals are living and breathing today because you decided to abstain from a good tasting burger. 365 animals are breathing today because you decided that life was more important than taste buds.
You can make an impact on the world.
Growing up, I always dreamed I would make an impact someday. I wanted to compose movie soundtracks and write award-winning books that inspired the world. I never dreamed it would actually be through being vegan. If I have learned anything over the past year, it is that you should never let anyone tell you that you won’t make a difference. 10,950 square feet of forest, 401,500 gallons of water, and 365 animals say otherwise.
If I have learned anything over the past year, it is that you should never let anyone tell you that you won’t make a difference.
If you are thinking of becoming vegan or are just starting your transition, just try it for one month. One month is enough time for you to experiment with new recipes and let your body adjust to the new lifestyle. After that, it will get easier and easier to stick with it.
In the meantime, check out these helpful blog posts.
I’ll admit, I still don’t feel like I know what I’m doing — I mean, I looked up how to cook tofu correctly the other day. But veganism is a lifestyle. I’ve got a whole life to figure this out. And no matter how inadequate I sometimes feel, I know I’m making a difference. Here’s to another year and another 50 years of living vegan.
