Before we begin, make sure you grab your free printable where I share with you 7 tips for going vegan and avoiding overwhelm and stress. Download it here.
Going vegan and deciding that you don’t want to pay for the exploitation of your fellow animals can trigger a lot of people in your close circle.
Why? Because you are suddenly holding a mirror to their face and showing them that they don’t have to support these cruel death industries.
Even if you do not preach about your new lifestyle or point out what they are paying for, others can feel judged because it reminds them of the choices they are making. That can sometimes break relationships apart and cause some people to leave.
That’s okay.Â
I don’t believe you need these people in your life anyway.Â
I also don’t think you need people who will cheer for you either. As long as you know why you are doing this, that is all that matters.
The problem comes when people don’t leave you alone or treat you the same they always have, but bully you and mock you for making positive changes in your life.
When that happens, you need to step back and set boundaries.Â
Just because we don’t need someone to actively cheer on every step we make toward living vegan, we also don’t need someone making it harder than it should be.Â
Support is not always expressed through actions and words. Sometimes it is expressed through them letting you do your thing and treating you like they always have – because you are still the same you you have always been, just plant-based.
Here are a few things you can tell people around you when you start going vegan (to set boundaries):
- I have decided to go vegan. I know you may not agree with this decision, but it is the decision I made and I would appreciate you not making fun of me for it. You don’t have to help me in any way, just don’t treat me differently because of my new lifestyle.
- If you want to know why I am going vegan, please ask. I love you and I am grateful to have you in my life but this is too important for me to let you spread lies about this lifestyle without knowing the truth.Â
- If you want to talk about it, we can sit down and talk. I will leave if you start shaming me for it, though.
These are just a few things you can say to people that mean a lot to you.Â
It’s important that you let them know you will not support any mocking, bullying or shaming. Having a conversation is welcomed but only when no one is raising their voice or calling the other one ugly names.
I know it’s hard to think about the possibility of them leaving but there is a chance it might happen. As I said, that’s okay. You need to set boundaries even if there is a chance of them leaving.
Unless you become a monster that is treating non-vegans like trash, they have no other reason to leave than feeling ashamed of being in the company of someone who is choosing to not exploit other beings.Â
Don’t let anyone shame you into thinking you are doing the wrong thing. It takes a lot of courage to treat other animals with respect and you are on the right side of history.
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Tanja
