The KInd Life Community Forum

I've made the decision go vegan. It's been 4 days meat/egg/dariy free and I don't miss it one bit. TKD truely changed my views on meat and I'm truely excited about it . I've been doing very well with the exception of when I've shared my excitement with friends and/or family I get come negative reactions. My best friend said it's a phase that she'd be surprised to see me still doing this in 2 weeks and my husband said it was just weird. So from the two people that I depend on the most to encourage me and support me, I feel let down. I feel alone in my journey with no one from the side lines to encourage me. I still plan to stay the course and I am very thankful for this site as this is the only place I have where I don't feel so alone.

Seriously, I'm having the same exact trouble you are! That's what is so great about this site; you can get the positive encouragement you really need. It's hard for people to not look at you and think you're a complete weirdo when they aren't really as educated about the cause as you are. And it can be even harder when you try to take time to explain it to them, but they don't want to listen. But what you're doing is to benefit your body and spirit, and you should feel absolutely proud of yourself for taking the step to become vegan! I meet criticism just talking about going from vegetarianism to veganism, so I'm having trouble even thinking about making the change.
Hopefully they'll come around and be able to understand and support your choice soon. But even if that doesn't happen in the near future, don't forget that you are not alone and that you have made a wonderful, healthy choice for your body and mind! Good work!

It is amazing how brain washed our society is. When people asked me about my diet and I tell them I'm Vegan, they ask me "where do you get your protien? Aren't you worried about osteoporsis if you don't drink milk? What is so wrong with eating meat and dairy?" and the list goes on and on. When I tell them about the research out there and the harmful effects of meat and dairy on the product their response is, "I bet some vegan book told you that. All that stuff in there are lies." I have never felt so attacked in my life. I don't attack people for eating meat. I don't even try to tell them about veganism until they ask me about it. I do wonder what it is about being vegan that scares people?!

I think it is important to have the support from all of us in this forum. This is truly amazing. I truly appreciate everyone's support out there!!!! And all of you know I SUPPORT YOU!!!!

My parents live in rural Georgia and they LOVE to make fun of me. So instead of constant defending, I just give them more to laugh about. I will intentionally call them up and tell them I'm feeding my son tofu slices and how delicious the setain picatta was! They have no idea what I'm eating so there response is eeewww!! Then I get to laugh at them.

Just be patient Amy - patience and your own positive example are the two things that will get you through the tough phase of living vegan in a society that does not always accept our choices. As a vegan of over a year, I encountered the exact same negativity and ignorance when I made the choice to begin abstaining from any animal products. I felt so alone, because I didn't know anyone else who was vegan, and the only reactions I would get from loved ones was confusion or aggression. It was a scary time, but leading my own example and being patient enough to stay the course has helped not only me, but so many people around me incorporate veganism into our daily lives. For example, a girl I've been friends with on and off was incredibly closed-minded and judgmental when I first went vegan. One year later, it's a much different story -she just told me she has been meat-free for two months! It's amazing the impact we can have if we just continue to spread the positive message of veganism. I still have moments when I feel sad - I see a lot of people consuming dairy, and I just want to yell at them, "It's not made for you! It's for the cows!". But in those moments, I think about the amount of influence I have had over my family, friends, and even strangers - and it helps me to keep going. And the best part? You have a network now of friends and supporters online at The Kind Life. Just stay true to yourself, believe in what you are doing, and people will come around. And if they don't? Then they probably aren't the kind of people you want in your life anyway. Good luck to you on your journey!