A Different Kind of Heartbreak
I wanted to jot down some thoughts that I've been having for the last few weeks. These thoughts have always been there, but they seem to be taking up a lot more space in my mind recently as I am no longer in school and have had a bit more free time on my hands. They may not be super organized, as I just felt a very strong desire to write them down.
I always talk about how being vegan is ~so~ easy. And for the most part, it is. But there are times when it isn't. Not because I miss certain foods, or get tempted to eat non-vegan things- I don't. But because my eyes have been pried open to the corruption and cold-heartedness of the world. I like to think that I'm an optimist, and most of the time I am. However, I can't help but feel so increasingly heartbroken when I see how horribly animals are treated. Back when I first became vegan, I followed a ton of vegan social media accounts so that I could surround myself with, even if only electronically, like-minded people. It can be great... and it can be terrible. There are often times I get on Twitter, or Facebook, and I have to scroll quickly past a video of a cow, pig, chicken, rabbit, etc, getting tortured. And then there are times when I can't scroll. When that rabbit getting its fur ripped off it's perfectly living and very much awake body, or the mother cow mourning her recently killed calf captures my attention in a blood-curdling, anger-inducing way. I can't count how many times I've cried, wishing I could take their pain away. Every time I see one of those videos, my heart breaks even more. And then I think.. "If it's hard for ME to watch these videos, imagine how hard it is for people who are still contributing to this pain to watch it". I try to understand. Living in ignorance can be bliss. Until people watch the videos and see how their choices directly impact this industry, these living creatures, nothing will change. "But then.." I think, "Then there are those that HAVE watched these videos, who see an animal crying out in helpless desperation, and still don't change their ways". And I'm back to square one of heartbreak, confusion, and anger.
Being vegan can be isolating. I am so thankful that my husband is also vegan. I find comfort and solace in our home knowing we, as a unit, refuse to contribute to these terrible industries. But making friends can be really tough. Even being close with family members can be difficult. For those of you who aren't vegan and think I'm being dramatic or judgmental, hear me out. Imagine something that you are incredibly against, morally. It could be abortion, gun rights, anything. Now imagine almost EVERYONE around you having the exact opposite opinion as you do. Not only do they have a different opinion than you, but what they are doing is causing harm to others, actively, every day. And they tell you that what they are doing is "their choice". It is difficult for me to remain close with people who aren't willing to see the pain they are causing, or not change their ways once they do see it. Refusing to make progress that could end the suffering of millions isn't something I am extremely tolerant of. I can counter pretty much every argument about anti-veganism: health, the food chain, the "humans are carnivores" argument, and even the "it's my choice!" argument (I mean, those animals didn't get a choice...). But I can't argue with people when they acknowledge the pain they are causing and still say they don't want to stop because they "can't live without bacon" or "can't live without cheese". People who eat animals purely for their satisfaction. You can't teach empathy. You can't teach kindness, or decent morals. For these reasons, having close friends and family members can get dicey.
I love being vegan. I love seeing my delicious meal and knowing it didn't cause any suffering. But as my heart opens more for the animals, it closes for those who are close-minded and stubborn. Being vegan is easy... and at the same time, it's not. It will toughen you and break you in ways you didn't know were possible. It will make you resilient and proud. It will open your eyes, and break your heart. And I wouldn't give it up for the world.
I always talk about how being vegan is ~so~ easy. And for the most part, it is. But there are times when it isn't. Not because I miss certain foods, or get tempted to eat non-vegan things- I don't. But because my eyes have been pried open to the corruption and cold-heartedness of the world. I like to think that I'm an optimist, and most of the time I am. However, I can't help but feel so increasingly heartbroken when I see how horribly animals are treated. Back when I first became vegan, I followed a ton of vegan social media accounts so that I could surround myself with, even if only electronically, like-minded people. It can be great... and it can be terrible. There are often times I get on Twitter, or Facebook, and I have to scroll quickly past a video of a cow, pig, chicken, rabbit, etc, getting tortured. And then there are times when I can't scroll. When that rabbit getting its fur ripped off it's perfectly living and very much awake body, or the mother cow mourning her recently killed calf captures my attention in a blood-curdling, anger-inducing way. I can't count how many times I've cried, wishing I could take their pain away. Every time I see one of those videos, my heart breaks even more. And then I think.. "If it's hard for ME to watch these videos, imagine how hard it is for people who are still contributing to this pain to watch it". I try to understand. Living in ignorance can be bliss. Until people watch the videos and see how their choices directly impact this industry, these living creatures, nothing will change. "But then.." I think, "Then there are those that HAVE watched these videos, who see an animal crying out in helpless desperation, and still don't change their ways". And I'm back to square one of heartbreak, confusion, and anger.
Being vegan can be isolating. I am so thankful that my husband is also vegan. I find comfort and solace in our home knowing we, as a unit, refuse to contribute to these terrible industries. But making friends can be really tough. Even being close with family members can be difficult. For those of you who aren't vegan and think I'm being dramatic or judgmental, hear me out. Imagine something that you are incredibly against, morally. It could be abortion, gun rights, anything. Now imagine almost EVERYONE around you having the exact opposite opinion as you do. Not only do they have a different opinion than you, but what they are doing is causing harm to others, actively, every day. And they tell you that what they are doing is "their choice". It is difficult for me to remain close with people who aren't willing to see the pain they are causing, or not change their ways once they do see it. Refusing to make progress that could end the suffering of millions isn't something I am extremely tolerant of. I can counter pretty much every argument about anti-veganism: health, the food chain, the "humans are carnivores" argument, and even the "it's my choice!" argument (I mean, those animals didn't get a choice...). But I can't argue with people when they acknowledge the pain they are causing and still say they don't want to stop because they "can't live without bacon" or "can't live without cheese". People who eat animals purely for their satisfaction. You can't teach empathy. You can't teach kindness, or decent morals. For these reasons, having close friends and family members can get dicey.
I love being vegan. I love seeing my delicious meal and knowing it didn't cause any suffering. But as my heart opens more for the animals, it closes for those who are close-minded and stubborn. Being vegan is easy... and at the same time, it's not. It will toughen you and break you in ways you didn't know were possible. It will make you resilient and proud. It will open your eyes, and break your heart. And I wouldn't give it up for the world.
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