The hardest part of being vegan

When I first adopted a vegan lifestyle, the internal battle was more challenging than I ever expected. Sure, I had my reasons — the ethics, environmental impact, and a desire for better health — but navigating the social landscape of being vegan was an entirely different beast. I wasn’t ready for the constant questioning and the stereotypes that came with the label.

I remember my first few months being filled with apprehension. Every time I went out to eat with friends or attended a family gathering, I braced myself for questions. "Where do you get your protein?" was the most common. It was frustrating, but also telling of how misunderstood veganism was (and still is). Rather than offering that explanation, I often found myself falling into a defensive mode. Why was I being asked to justify my food choices?

Then there were the comments I didn’t expect, like, "Do you realize plants and yeast have feelings too?" While meant as a joke, those comments still made me pause. Could this be what people really thought of my choice? That it was just some passing phase or a trend that didn’t deserve to be taken seriously?

But perhaps the hardest part of being vegan wasn’t the questions or comments from others. It was the fear of being seen as a burden. I didn’t want to be the one who made dinner plans difficult, caused discomfort, or even made people question the food they eat. I worried that by choosing a vegan diet, I would be making my life — and the lives of those around me — more complicated. In fact, this fear was so strong that I didn’t tell my mom for almost a year. I knew her response would likely be far from supportive.

When I finally did open up about my choice, her reaction was far from what I had hoped. She was strongly opposed to my decision. Her concern wasn’t just about my health but the fear that I was rejecting tradition, family meals, and everything she had known. She urged me to see a doctor, convinced that I would become deficient in essential nutrients. Her reaction left me feeling both misunderstood and unsupported, but I knew I had to stick to my values. Despite the discomfort, I continued to explain why I had chosen this lifestyle — the ethical reasons, the environmental benefits, and how I felt healthier overall.

Over time, as I educated myself more about plant-based nutrition, I shared this knowledge with her. The more I learned, the more confident I became in my decision. And, eventually, my mom began to come around. It wasn’t an overnight change, but with every conversation, she softened. She still had concerns about my health, but they became less about skepticism and more about curiosity. She even started researching vegan meals on her own and found ways to support me when we’d have family dinners. I began to see that her opposition stemmed from love and concern, but it was also shaped by unfamiliarity and a lack of understanding.

It’s not an easy transition, especially when you’re worried about how others will react. For some, going vegan is met with open arms, while for others, it can bring about confusion or even hostility. But one of the most rewarding aspects of living this lifestyle has been how it’s forced me to have conversations, to explain my choices, and to educate others along the way. It’s not always easy, and there are times when I still fear being "that person," but I’ve learned that sticking to my values is worth it.

Over time, I’ve come to understand that being vegan is not just about the food I eat but about the way I live and engage with the world. It’s about the kind of impact I want to have on the planet, the animals, and my own health. But it’s also about realizing that I’m not responsible for anyone else’s beliefs or comfort levels. As much as I want to share my journey, I also need to respect that not everyone is on the same path.

At the end of the day, the most important part of being vegan isn’t making sure that everyone else adopts the same lifestyle; it’s about staying true to yourself and your values. And if that means answering the occasional question, educating a few people, or even hearing a joke about plants and yeast, then I’m okay with that. What matters most is that I’m living in alignment with my principles, and that feels good enough for me.