How to Go Vegan in 2020

Jan 02, 2020

"There’s being vegan and there’s actively participating in animal exploitation. There is no third choice."
-Gary Francione

Welcome to a new year! 2020 is poised to be the biggest in vegan history. Maybe you're interested in trying it out as a new year's resolution, or maybe you've been vegan for years and want to encourage your loved ones to give it a go. Either way, here are six steps to get you veganized to start the year off right!

Step One: Resolutions are for Losers

Many people make new year's resolutions to go vegan or to get healthy; this rarely works, especially long-term. When we make these resolutions, we already subconsciously acknowledge that it's ok to fail because everyone fails their new year's resolutions. Additionally, resolutions put a ton of pressure on you to make veganism work immediately, even though there is a significant learning curve, meaning it could take weeks or months to really figure it out. Instead of doing this because of a resolution, learn about why you want to do it: are you dealing with an illness? Or are you an animal lover that is addicted to dairy? Or are you up at night worrying about the climate crisis? All of these are valid reasons to help get you started.

Step Two: Make the Connection

One of the most important things to realize is that veganism is an ethical lifestyle intended to minimize the suffering of animals. While vegans follow a plant-based diet, there is much more to veganism than just what you eat. It is about the businesses you support in all areas of life and the way you interact with the world and its inhabitants. If you want to be vegan and eat "just a little bit" of cheese, you haven't made the connection. If you want to be vegan and still go to the zoo every once in a while, you haven't made the connection. If you want to be vegan and buy a labradoodle from a pet store, you haven't made the connection. I don't say this to scare you off or make veganism seem like an exclusive club. But, like the quote at the top of this post, if you're not vegan, you're participating in animal cruelty, whether it be intentional or not. Veganism, or the elimination of all animal products, is the only other option.

So, how do you make that ethical connection with animals? It can happen in many different ways, and it usually occurs in stages throughout life, but there is always one thing that pushes a carnist over the edge to finally becoming vegan. Since you're reading this post, I'm assuming that you're already very close to going vegan and are in need of just a little push to take the leap. For me, that "little push" was Earthlings, a 2005 film documenting animal husbandry practices in the United States.

As much as I didn't want to watch animal suffering (further proof that we're not a predatory species), I realized that I had to in order to live in a way that aligned with my values as an animal lover. While watching graphic footage of animal abuse, especially for the first time, is a harrowing and heartbreaking experience, that was the single greatest thing I've ever done in my life. I sat there and cried through the 90-minute film, but those 90 minutes completely changed my life and have made me a better person every single day since. And while it was difficult to control and accept my guilt over 18 years as a carnist, which I firmly believe is one of the main reasons why nonvegans so adamantly oppose watching graphic footage, I needed to feel that way in order to move on. Life is a combination of the bad and the good, and sometimes you need to see the absolute worst of the worst to find your way to the best of the best.

Step Three: Helpful Resources to Get You Started

This is the step that takes the most time and strength because it's when you begin to really open yourself up to veganism and expose all your prejudices and beliefs that have prevented you from going vegan before. It's no longer just some concept you're debating in your mind; this is how you get from where you are now to full-on veganism. Going vegan is not something you are capable of without this step. You don't have to go through every single resource I've listed below, but they are some of the most helpful things I've discovered on my journey through veganism. Additionally, I'd encourage you to do research of your own. Find books that resonate with your way of life and mentors that will make the conversion easiest for you. There is no right or wrong way to find veganism in your heart.

Education: films, books, & podcasts to help you figure everything out. These range from ethics to health to the environment to spirituality.
- Dominion: This film has sparked a revolution in animal rights activism. Released by Aussie Farms in 2018, it became the new Earthlings, composed of undercover footage ranging from dairy farms to science labs. It is the only documentary you'd need to watch if you want to go vegan right now.
- Cowspiracy: One of the first vegan documentaries I ever saw, this film is a must-watch for anyone interested in the environment. Filmmakers Kip Anderson and Keegan Kuhn teamed together to question environmental organizations that refuse to acknowledge animal agriculture as a leader in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental destruction. If this interests you, make sure to check out the partners' upcoming third venture together, Seaspiracy.
- What the Health: Probably one of the biggest films on this list and made by the Cowspiracy duo, the filmmakers once again prove that health-related charities, much like environmental protection organizations, have no real knowledge or interest in truly helping people with diseases. By meeting with doctors and patients, the team provides an incredibly strong argument for a plant-based diet.
- The Animal People: By far, this was the most inspiring documentary I've seen since Earthlings. Documenting the struggle of activists to retain their First Amendment right to protest against Huntingdon Life Sciences, a company conducting experiments on animals, this film is equally awesome and disturbing. It is the only film on this list that has nothing to do with diet, instead focusing on vivisection and just how powerful the anti-animal rights lobbyists and politicians are.
- The Game Changers: This was certainly the most anticipated plant-based film of the year, documenting how and why many professional athletes are switching over to a plant-based diet and how it has positively impacted them. It quickly became a talking point among the athletic community online and has already inspired many to try out a vegan diet.
- A Prayer for Compassion: Released in December 2019, the director leads us across the world to meet with various religious leaders, scholars, and followers who make an incredibly compelling argument for why being vegan is the best way to live in accordance with your values as a religious or spiritual person.
- How Not to Die & How Not to Diet: Dr. Michael Greger is one of my heroes in the vegan movement because of How Not to Die and also for his website nutritionfacts.org and all the other work he does to help raise awareness of the benefits plant-based eating. How Not to Die is the book that made me start to think about the way I ate, despite the fact that I'd been vegan for three years already, and it made me actually want to take care of myself. Even though I wasn't dealing with any of the diseases he discussed, I felt like this was the first time I'd ever heard the truth about exactly how important the food we put into our bodies is. Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book, so you should just read it for yourself. I promise you won't be disappointed.
  - The followup, How Not to Diet, was released in December 2019 and discusses how and why modern fad diets don't work long-term for weight loss and disease prevention. I am very much looking forward to reading it.
- The World Peace Diet: Dr. Will Tuttle is a magician with words; the way he can so eloquently communicate precisely what he means to say and make you feel how he wants you to feel is exquisite. The book covers all elements of why you should be vegan, but I think none is more important and impactful than the focus on spiritual harmony. Finally I understood how breeding and using animals for various purposes bleeds into every other aspect of life, and how this violence we commit upon other species translates into violence we commit upon our own species. Truly, this book is a game-changer for anyone that cares about animals, humans, the environment, and personal harmony.
- Vystopia: Dr. Clare Mann is a vegan psychologist and one of the greatest speakers I've ever heard. She coined the term vystopia, a variation of dystopia, to explain how vegans often feel out of place in the world. For any vegan rookies, this is a must-read to better understand how to cope with this pain so you can continue living a normal life. For seasoned vegans, this is a great reminder that you are not alone, that your feelings are justified, and that you can learn how to overcome them.
- The Joyful Vegan: This book was just released in November 2019 and was written by the prolific Colleen Patrick-Goodreau; it seems she's always working on new books and podcasts, organizing vegan trips, and doing everything else in between. She wrote this as a vegan bible for "how to stay vegan in a world that wants you to eat meat, dairy, and eggs," as she puts it. Her tone and style of communication is very approachable, making her a great gateway into the world of animal rights.
- The ChickPeeps: A fun little podcast founded and co-hosted by vegan Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch. Whether you like to listen to podcasts while driving to work or while working out, this is a great place to start. The first season delves into many of the basics of veganism, such as why bee products aren't vegan and what really happens in the egg industry. It's a great introduction to the gruesomeness of animal agriculture without any of the disturbing imagery.
- Paw & Order: Another one of my favorite podcasts, this is hosted by two Canadian lawyers, one of which is the founder of the animal law charity Animal Justice. They make the confusing world of animal law seem simple with their explanations of how the legal system does (and, in most cases, does not) support animal rights.
Implementation: These tools will help you get started on incorporating veganism into your life after you've had at least some level of education on the topic, whether that be health, environment, or ethics.
- Veganuary: This is a 30-day vegan challenge in which participants pledge to go vegan, or at least plant-based, for one month (commonly January, as in the name, for new year's resolutions). They offer daily emails with important information and recipe ideas to help you every step of the way.
- Challenge22: Similar to Veganuary, Challenge22 is a 22-day vegan challenge. The idea behind this is that it's said to take 21 days to break a habit, so they're there to help you through those plus one day more. With this group, you get a mentor for the duration of the challenge to contact with all your questions; you will receive nothing but support the entire time for how to best manage your first 22 days as a vegan.
- Vegan Facebook groups (further explained in Step Four)

Step Four: Get Support

It can be quite difficult to go vegan alone. I should know; I've done it. When you have a group of supportive people around you, the transition period can be incredibly easy. But how do you find those people? Well, the same way you're reading these words: the internet! There are thousands of vegan groups on Facebook, with focuses ranging from plant-based eating to animal rights to climate change and even beyond that. If you prefer something local in which you can meet up with other vegans in your area, almost every city and town has a vegan Facebook group now. I'd also suggest joining up with your local Anonymous for the Voiceless, Save Movement, and/or Direct Action Everywhere chapters, all of which organize their events on Facebook.

It's also very important to tell your loved ones that you're making this change in your life. The longer you put it off, the more difficult it will become to talk about it. I recognize that most people choose not to go vegan because they don't want to disrupt their household with this change, and that isn't ok. You may be an integral part of your family, but you're still your own person. You can't let their opinions dictate the way you live your life, especially when the actual lives of other beings are on the line. If your family can't handle you being vegan, maybe you should consider how much they actually care about you to not even give you the time of day. Hopefully in this day and age, most families are more tolerant of veganism and are curious about the lifestyle themselves. Just don't ever let anyone else make decisions about the way you live; that's all up to you.

Step Five: Do It in Steps

Out of all the steps, this is one of the most important. Because the easiest way to go and stay vegan is to not try to do it all at once, even though you may want to. (Although, I don't want to imply that I'm encouraging the continued consumption of animal products. If you truly feel prepared to make the change all at once, don't let me stop you.) There's no right or wrong way to start, but some methods are more effective than others.

Since the primary way we exploit animals is for food, that's where most people start. A common example of transitioning is to focus on making plant-based breakfasts in your first week, then incorporating lunches in the second week, and then finally including dinners in the third week. Because it can be overwhelming to learn new recipes, this method relieves some of that pressure by focusing on just one area each week.

Another idea is to take three recipes you regularly eat for each meal of the day and veganize them. For instance, instead of figuring out how to create a tofu scramble, make a bowl of oatmeal with some plant milk and fruit. Instead of a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch, make a Tofurky and vegan cheese sandwich instead (or a veggie sandwich if you want to be super healthy). For dinner, instead of a meaty chili, make a bean-and-veggie chili (my favorite recipe comes from The Vegan Starter Kit). For dessert, swap out your nonvegan chocolate bar for a vegan one. Easy peasy!

Step Six: Enjoy It

Like I've said over and over throughout this post, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and give up on veganism before you've really given it a chance because you tried to do too much at once or have been pressured by others. Just like making the ethical connection to animals, educating yourself on all the reasons to be vegan, and taking manageable steps on the way, it's also important to actually enjoy veganism. If this is the way you want to live, then you should be happy about it. Even now, I sometimes feel dragged down by negative thoughts about how it seems that the animals are doomed to pay forever for humanity's greed and that we, as a species, are basically digging our own grave. But I never linger in that dark place because I have found so much joy and hope in my life through veganism. And I hope you'll do the same. Good luck!

Bonus: Don't Think Too Much

I believe that many people get overwhelmed at the thought of making this change that will influence every little thing they do for the rest of their lives. However, if you really want to be successful, don't think about it like that. When I first transitioned, my parents asked me if I would ever eat any animal products ever again, and I answered, honestly, that I didn't know. I hadn't thought about it in such a grand context. It was just a one-day-at-a-time thing, and eventually, it simply became my new normal. By then, I was accustomed to not eating animals and I knew that this lifestyle aligned with my ethics, so why would I ever go back? So, don't think about what you're going to eat at your sister's wedding two years from now. Think about what you'll make for dinner tonight. Get through it day by day, then week by week and month by month. Soon enough, you'll lose count.

be conscious, be kind, be vegan