One of the most common things I hear when someone finds out I am vegan is a variation on the same tired question. “But don’t you miss cheese?”. Sometimes they say bacon, sometimes it’s chocolate.
Whatever the word is, the sentiment is the same. People think veganism is about restriction and missing out on enjoyment. About what we can’t do. About what we have lost.
It’s often said in a sympathetic tone. Poor old me, right?
But I’ve never looked at it that way. To me, veganism is about what we choose to do. It is about the compassionate choices that shape our plates and our shopping habits… and how it feels great to make those choices!
Read more below.
When I sit down with a plate of vegan food, I don’t think about what is missing. I think about the positivity in what I am choosing to eat. I think about the fact that no animal was bred, used, or killed so I could have lunch. I think about the people who worked hard to create plant-based alternatives that allow us to eat familiar foods without harm. I think about the countless small actions of other vegans who together make compassionate living more visible and more possible.
There is a huge difference between saying “I can’t have that” and “I don’t want that”. The first sounds like deprivation. The second is empowering. I am not denied anything as a vegan. I am a vegan because I want a world where compassion matters more than convenience and I have the privilege of getting to be a part of that solution.
Of course, living in a non vegan world means we are faced with constant reminders of what mainstream culture still eats, wears, and watches. It can sometimes feel overwhelming. But instead of letting this define veganism as a struggle, I want to keep reminding myself and others that it is an act of kindness. Every meal, every purchase, every conversation is an opportunity to choose compassion and positivity.
So the next time someone asks if you miss cheese, tell them this. No, I don’t miss cheese. I’m too busy enjoying all the things I get to have. Food that fills me up without harming animals. Community events with people who believe in kindness. And the satisfaction of knowing that my compassionate choices are making a difference to reduce harm to animals.
I don’t feel restricted. I feel like I’m making good choices for the planet, as well as the people and the animals on it.
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