Hi I'm new.. and just needed to talk/express to someone

[u/0h-n0-p0m0]

I stumbled on videos online of the kind of treatment and conditions that so many.. too many animals go through to become food for me.

I'm a 30 year old man and I sat there and cried. And cried. I haven't felt right since. Before I was somewhat ignorant, but now I know. I know that I know.

I've realised I have to make changes, I can't just suppress this. My plan is to try each day to be more conscious of what I consume and buy. I know that I won't change the world personally, but I just want to be ok with myself, my own conscience.

I guess I'm just wondering how do you learn to hold this knowledge, this weight of the unfathomable scale of the suffering? Even as I write this I'm tearing up, it's just not right

[u/AutoModerator]

Thanks for posting to r/Vegan! 🐥

Civil discussion is welcome — personal attacks are not. Please read our wiki first.

New to veganism? 🌱
• Watch Dominion — a powerful, free documentary that changes lives.
• NutritionFacts.org — evidence-based health info
• HappyCow.net — find vegan-friendly restaurants near you

Want to help animals? 💻
• Browse volunteer opportunities on Flockwork and use your skills to make a difference
• Join the Flockwork Discord to be notified of new opportunities that match your skills

Thank you!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/LtColnSharpe]

Same way I deal with the rest of the injustice in the world. Stuff it down with brown.

In all seriousness, you can't live a life thinking about these things constantly. Use them to shape your morality, your actions and how you interact with others but don't let them consume you.

[u/sugarfreepersonality]

Honestly it never goes away completely, but you learn to carry it with time. My partner is also a 30y/o man and went through this same journey earlier this year. He consumed more and more content as he tried to learn as much as possible, and cried daily from the guilt and frustration with the world. It’s easier for him to carry now, but it’s still there and it’s still upsetting. He’s vegan now.

[u/MaximalistVegan]

For me it helps enormously to know that at least I'm actively doing all I can to NOT support these practices. Nobody's perfect and, like almost every other vegans, I shop at grocery stores that also sell animal foods and eat at restaurants that also serve non-vegan items. But there's a lot of peace that comes with embracing a vegan way of life.

[u/No-Mention-1905]

Not being the reason it happens to them anymore is very helpful, you’re having a super normal reaction, what happens to animals is awful. I don’t know if it’s helpful but you’re not alone. The tears are normal 😔

[u/AnimalLoversRVegan]

The knowledge is the hardest part. Use it to fuel conscious action of your own buying habits and how you do activism.

[u/__Magali__]

When I feel as overwhelmed as you are, I try seeing myself from an outer point of view and behave as a comforting and caring presence.

"Oh no, Magali is stressed by this world! Let's put her to bed with a hot-water bottle and let's let her cry for a moment. Then, we'll play a video game she really likes with a friend that will make her laugh. The pain will be easier for her to carry after we have taken care of her.."

[u/Able_Mongoose_1047]

I drink a lot.

[u/zombiegojaejin → u/Able_Mongoose_1047]

I did too, until a little over a year ago. It's true that I spend more of my day than before seeing the evils of the world, but I've also become much stronger.

[u/lilac-forest]

Be proud that youre one of the minority with their heads screwed on right. You have respectable principles and youre choosing to live by them.
The world is a cruel place. Humans think everything belongs to us and we can act however we please so long as it adheres to social norms. The only way that will change is if someone starts saying its wrong. And not just saying it. Screaming it. Getting angry over it. Thats what brings home the urgency and severity of the issue.

I hope you enjoy the process of finding new recipes and flavour palettes bc it really is crazy how many new kinds of food you end up trying after going vegan

[u/glitter_bagel]

I’ve been vegetarian my whole life and recently decided to go vegan. I grew up with parents who were vegan, and growing up in that’s environment it was hard to see people I loved eating meat since I knew the suffering many animals had to go through to produce that. It’s hard to hold it, and when I was younger I had to make sure I was supportive of anyone who ate meat still.

Im glad you’re trying to be more conscious of what you’re consuming though! A good tip for that is checking ingredients, many things are vegan that don’t look vegan. Oreos, and similar cookies are often vegan, and there ate lots of vegan ice creams and chips and crackers.

I’ve noticed more people becoming vegan and it truly is amazing to see. It’s caused a lot more restaurants to become out with vegan options which is great. I also encourage you to try vegan substitutes for meats and dairy to see if you like it :)

[u/Deepshit1212]

Educate yourself on how this crime impacts all people, and how the mindset that allows this cruelty to happen more still has created the world/societies we live in

Thank you for not looking away

[u/_SheWhoShines]

I tell myself I'm doing all I can, and I give myself permission not to engage with the tragedy of it emotionally or mentally since I've already engaged behaviorally. It takes some practice but it's the only way to live; if I open the door again I get so paralyzingly sad. Instead, I delight in the fact that I eat plants and all the conveniences this lifestyle affords! (Better health, lower carbon footprint, enhanced closeness with my fellow earthlings, a cleaner kitchen, and food that can sit out a few hours without spoiling!) And I promise you, with some practice, YOUR FOOD WILL BE DELICIOUS! I honestly, genuinely think I eat the best food in the world. For me, being vegan isnt a sacrifice or a burden; it's continually renewing and joyful. Thank you for taking a step to steward our fellow earthlings with kindness! And I promise, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

[u/One-Shake-1971]

My plan is to try each day to be more conscious of what I consume and buy.

That's a bad plan. A better plan would be to just decide to be vegan from now.

You're not doing anyone a favor, not even yourself, by dragging things out.

[u/yellowsuzuki]

A lot of things in the world are pretty dark once you start looking closely. I don’t think it’s possible, or our job, to “fix” the world, at least as individuals. I think the best we can do is make the most ethical choices we can in our own lives.

I understand the need to spread awareness, but a lot of the conversations on this sub feel so heavy. I see lots of posts about guilt, or judgment of non-vegans, etc. Ironically, it reminds me a lot of old school fire-and-brimstone religion.

I prefer to take a lighter, more positive side to veganism — creating a healthy lifestyle that respects animals and nature, etc. Now that you’ve decided to change your lifestyle, have fun with it. Being a vegan is pretty great.

[u/C0gn]

Honestly, do all the research, watch all the videos, go deeeep into it and cement that knowledge you gained. Earthlings and Dominion online for free are the best

Then

Focus on yourself and be the best you can be, don't worry about others at all because you can't change them

[u/brintal]

Give yourself time. It gets better.  Connecting with other vegans will help not losing all faith in humanity. 

The emotions you're feeling are totally normal and justified (look up vystopia). There is nothing wrong with you. Still, talking to a therapist might help. If you want to talk to someone who has been in exactly that place, drop me a message.

All the best!

[u/ProfessionalAsk8264]

You don’t need to be cOnSciOuS you’re already conscious meaning aware every second of your day.

You talk about the scale of suffering and the weight but it still isn’t good enough for you to just drop buying animal products, you want to gradually be conscious smh.

Don’t buy the cow milk, buy the plant milk. Leave out the eggs and get the alternative or buy a bag of beans. Don’t know what to do with these? Look up a recipe. You think the food is bland? Guess what, most of the flavour from animal based dishes come from plant based seasonings so just use that.

Don’t make it too complicated for yourself because it really isn’t.

[u/Pok008]

You think you won't change the world? Do you know how many lives you save by avoiding animals products in only one day?

Do you realize all the groceries stores now hold a plant based section, if not many while like 12 years ago it was yet a fantasy to come true?

You are aiming on the right side of history, and since the poeple are willing to change, the industry shapes itself from it.

Bottom line: you DO have a really concrete impact, always. It's certainly not all for nothing.

[u/lined_adultery]

That weight doesn't really go away but it shifts into something you can carry. The first few weeks are the hardest, seeing it everywhere and feeling like you're walking around with a secret horror everyone else is ignoring. It gets less raw with time though, especially once your actions start lining up with your values

Don't try to be perfect overnight, just focus on the next meal and the next grocery trip. Most of us started exactly where you are now