I had never really encountered or seriously thought about veganism until I met my boyfriend, Jack. I described myself as a vegetarian during my three years at university, but never fully considered my reasonings for doing so – other than I didn’t like the idea of eating meat. And even then, I would still eat meat from time to time because I liked the taste. The word and identity ‘vegan’ were a little daunting to me, the act of labelling myself as something that, (just like any social justice movement), has a variety of negative connotations. But, having listened, read, and talked a lot about the vegan movement and lifestyle in the past seven months whilst travelling in South America, and as a result, having my eyes opened to the realities and horrors of the food and animal industries – the term wasn’t something that I avoided anymore, but was something I was proud to call myself.
It has now been seven months since I made the change, and I will never go back. It is without a doubt, one of the best decisions I have made for not only my health, but also importantly, for the animals and the planet. I have felt a greater sense of mental clarity and purpose knowing that I am consciously making compassionate decisions daily. But, whilst veganism is strongly linked to diet – as it makes up the largest percentage of animal suffering, cruelty and death, it is more than just food. For me, it is about reshaping perceptions, making kind choices and challenging normality. As Ed Winters, vegan activist and author says, “veganism is an ethical philosophy and not a diet choice”. For me, and for many others, it is a lifestyle change, in what I believe to be the necessary and positive direction for our health, planet and animals.
However, whilst it is important to understand that veganism is not simply about the food on our plate, it is still significant to take some time to focus on diet, as it forms such a fundamental part of our lives. The famous phrase ‘you are what you eat’, commonly attributed to Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, a French author, politician, and gastronome – rings true in more ways than one. The food we choose to put in our bodies not only affects our health, but also the outcomes of others.
Once I had made the connection between animals and food, I could not look at meat in the same way. The cow and the steak were, and of course always have been, one and the same – but the cognitive dissonance that many people (and me included at one point) feel is very real. But, if for example, the steak was dog meat, people would be outraged and distraught by the very idea of a beloved animal being used for human consumption. Yet a cow and a dog are remarkably similar; they both feel happiness, sadness, joy and pain, and desire companionship, love and attention. The fundamental difference is the way that society views and values these animals. A dog is a man’s best friend, and a cow is food. We invite one lovingly into our homes, and the other we repeatedly send to slaughter. Since my transition to veganism, I am acutely aware of exactly what is involved in producing the food we eat, and with my newfound knowledge, what I now choose to put in my body.
One poignant and memorable experience occurred whilst travelling in Bolivia. We were outside a small supermarket in the small town of Uyuni, and I distinctly remember suddenly becoming upset. Jack asked me what was wrong and all I could reply was ‘the cows, it is so unfair for the cows.’ In that moment, I felt an overwhelming feeling of injustice for the animals that suffer so greatly purely for human consumption and pleasure. I then felt angry and helpless by the vast scale and power of the animal food industry. Why if I valued myself as an empathic person, did I not extend my empathy to other species? It felt increasingly difficult to truly call myself an empathic and caring person, if my direct, personal choices were causing the suffering of so many others. My decision to go vegan then seemed so easy and logical, I was simply choosing to align my everyday actions with my morals.
But it wasn’t a decision I made overnight, and there wasn’t one singular lightbulb moment when I flipped the switch on my life and suddenly started hating all non-vegans! I still sympathise with and understand that not all people are willing and ready to make the change, – the world is not going to become vegan in one day. I just know that it is the right choice for me, and whilst I can only fully control my own personal choices, I also know that having a healthy discussion with friends, family and strangers who are willing to listen is a step in the right direction. Of course, I wish that more of the world was vegan, I believe it would make the world a brighter place. But, at the same time, it is unrealistic to think that even if everyone had the same knowledge, we would all make the same choice. We are all different, unique and complex. Nonetheless, it is important that we believe that our actions make a difference, however small they may feel – as it gives us a sense of purpose and meaning.
So, I am officially now a vegan! It is a lifestyle I had never imagined myself adopting, but that now feels more and more embedded into my personal identity. A whole series of blog posts is required to truly unpack the semantics and ethics of vegan philosophy, but I hope that this post has given you a small insight into the reason I decided to become plant-based. I am a brighter, healthier and happier person since making the change, and that is a positive change for anyone to strive towards!
Life of Becky 