If you are transitioning into a vegan or plant-based lifestyle, I bet you’ve got some push back from your people.
Am I right?
Making this change is HARD. And you are a badass, awesome-sauce human being for even starting on this journey. So I applaud you. But I know what makes it even harder is getting flack from your friends and family for choosing to go vegan.
“Oh, Betty, this whole ‘vegan thing’ is just a phase. You’ll grow out of it soon enough.”
“Hahaha, so you’re vegan now? What are you gonna eat, grass?!”
“Is this ‘vegan thing’ just another one of your ‘weight loss’ fads?”
I don’t know what your people are saying, but I know it hurts and completely invalidates what you’re doing.
Listen, when I went vegan, people gave me tons of flack. I literally went from eating bacon wrapped chicken topped with three types of cheese – to a full fledged vegan pretty much overnight. (I’m an all or nothing kinda gal, what can I say)?!
But what I’m saying is I feel you. I know the kind of comments people can make. I know it’s hard. And I know it makes any type of sustainable change even harder when the people who are supposed to be cheerleading you, are breaking you down.
Here’s the thing: It’s not about you it’s about them.
Yup. That’s right.
Those mean comments they make. The ones that make you question what you’re doing, or feel inadequate, are actually their own insecurities seeping out.
Recognizing this however, is way easier said then done.
This week I’ve compiled 5 tips to help you deal with the haters, so you can stand proud in your choice, without being a defensive, crazy vegan.
Here’s 5 tips for when the haters get to talkin’:
#1 Ground yourself in your intention
In my Get Plant Powered program the very first thing I have people do is create their intention. They get super clear on WHY they want to adopt this lifestyle. And every step of the way I encourage them to continue to come back to that intention; to come back to their why.
When people criticize you, or make fun of you, or make you feel like what your doing is somehow “wrong,” ground yourself in your why. You chose to become vegan for a reason, right? What was that reason? Why is it important to you?
Come back to this as often as you need. Because when you are clear on your intention, you become unfuckwithable.
#2 Don’t take it personally
IT’S. NOT. ABOUT. YOU.
I repeat. Those mean comments are not about you. They are about them. Maybe your people feel that their diet is inadequate. Maybe they want to make a positive change but haven’t been able to. People who spend their lives criticizing others have their own demons to battle. And guess what? It’s easier to judge your demons, and criticize your life than to get down and dirty with their own.
Keep your head high veganista, you’re doin’ just fine.
#3 Acknowledge that people don’t know, what they don’t know.
This is something I have to keep in mind all the time. While veganism is becoming mainstream, there are still a HUGE number of people who have absolutely no idea what veganism is about.
People genuinely don’t understand how someone can survive on just plants. Which I find hilarious considering several-tonne cows survive on literally grass.
But the best thing you can do is cut people some slack. Not everyone understand this lifestyle. Understand that people don’t know what they don’t know, and have compassion and understanding for that.
#4 Meet people where they are, and realize that not everyone will share your perspective
This has been SUCH a learning experience for me. We live in a world where everyone is championing a cause. Everyone is waving their social justice flag high and mighty. And that’s great – have your cause, and be passionate – but recognize deeply that not everyone will share your opinion.
AND THAT’S OK!
Not everyone will be down with trying to go vegan. And that’s ok. Not everyone will agree with your perspective, and being comfortable with that is key.
It’s easy to get defensive. It’s easy to get judgemental of others for supporting animal cruelty through the consumption of meat/animal products.
I know you’re passionate. I know you want to make an impact on your life, the lives of others and the lives of animals. You want to live and eat in a way that makes you feel good about your food choices inside and out.
And you KNOW that being vegan isn’t that hard. You’re not sitting around starving all day, and grazing on grass, kale and tofu as your friends and family suspect.
But judging, and preaching is NOT the way to affect change. It’s actually the surest way to create resistance.
What’s far more challenging, but far more productive, is giving people the space to have their own opinions, even if they conflict with yours.
#5 Practice patience and compassion
I like to think of the way I handle criticism as a practice. That might sound strange to you, but it really is.
Notice your feelings – of defensiveness, hurt, anger, frustration – let them be there, and choose to respond to negativity with equanimity. Now in the beginning, as with any practice, this will be hard.
You’ll want to be defensive.
You’ll want to scream at your criticizers.
You’ll want to lecture them on the massive ecological impact of factory farming, and have them realize how mean and awful it is to kill an animal for food.
But these tactics don’t work.
Be patient with people. Don’t lecture them until the cows come home… literally. Have conversations. Share your experience, and validate and acknowledge their experience. When you respond to criticism from a place of compassion and equanimity, you literally shut down any opportunity for people to continue their bullying.
I hope this was helpful for you. How do you deal with criticism and backlash as a vegan? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below!
