We weren’t all born with a hemp spoon in our mouths. And some of us didn’t take to being vegan as a slab of tofurky takes to veganaise. In fact, some of us slipped, messed up, and cheated our way to veganism. I called myself a “pesco-vegan” for 5 years before I finally went all the way and said Sayonara to stinky mercury-and-lice-laden sushi.
So.. we want to know – (feel free to leave an anonymous comment) – what have been your naughty sins? Chegans (cheating-vegans) feel free to purge!
Here are some sins we’ve overheard;
- “I still wear my wool sweaters. If someone asks, I say they are vegan. Nobody knows the difference, and I still buy anything new entirely vegan. Isn’t that greener anyway?”
- “I just bought a shirt I was in love with that was 20% silk. I couldn’t resist.”
- “I cheated while I was pregnant. All I wanted was an egg. So I ate one. Then I ate another. It was anti-climactic. But I listened to my body. Not planning on doing it again.”
- “While in Italy with my Partner, I ate pizza and loved every minute of it. I felt guilty, but I sat in the moment with it and enjoyed it.”
- “I’m still eating the chicken soup at my Grandma’s house over the holidays.”
- “I have no intention of donating or selling my old leather shoes. I’ll wear them til they have no more wear in them.”
- “My wedding dress had a silk lining.”
- “I accidentally bought cookies near my office that have egg in them. I ate them anyway.”
- “I dream of a big, juicy steak. Hot dogs still smell incredible to me.”
- “I bought sardines for my cat, and found myself eating the whole tin.”
This isn’t AA… just because you fall of the wagon, you don’t need to recount your days or give back your coin! Forgive yourself and move on. We are a deeply flawed and cheeky species. It makes sense that we aren’t perfect vegans all the time. Note the good you do by being vegan almost-all-the-time, how many lives you save and how light your footprint is by default. Aim towards fewer relapses and more discipline. When you feel yourself slipping, look at photos of chickens or cows or pigs, or go visit a Farm Sanctuary. This works nearly 100% of the time. And actually, is recommended as a kick in the tuchus activism refresher for even the most devoted vegan All is forgiven. Move on and keep saving the world.