It’s the month of Veganuary. It’s the first month of the new year, and also a fresh start. What a wonderful time it is to start the year off with an invigorating sense of awareness about others, and the clear conscious towards the betterment of the world. I always tell myself that in the grand scheme of things, my consumer actions add up to the colossal influence that the vegan/plant-based movement has. Although I’ve become less preachy about veganism in person, especially about the ethical side, I find it soothing to fall back to my blog and type along the dotted lines. My words are much clearer on this platform, and my message is more thoroughly expressed. As much as I love talking about veganism, I understand that it’s not for everyone. I also have realised that the main thing that keeps people vegan is having a connection. I’ve spoken about the connection before, but I have refined ideas about it, which I’ll discuss here. I want to keep this article short, concise and to the point. Veganism is not complicated, and the moral explanations behind it aren’t either.

An open mind and a clear conscious that is ego-ridden and guilt accepting, is one way to embrace veganism. However, I prefer to look at it rationally. Most of us have been born eating meat. Same goes for our ancestors. It becomes clear that eating meat is in fact normal. Most vegans don’t have an issue with the actual consumption of meat but rather with the industry that is behind it. Take for example the countless of tribes that still rely on hunting for their food, or impoverished countries that don’t have access to an abundant food system. The inadequacy of infrastructures that allow for a cyclical production and slaughter of animals in some parts of the world alleviates the moral hypocrisy behind eating meat. If people still rely on animal products for survival, can they be blamed for living within the boundaries of nature?

Many developing and all developed countries have intricate and complicated food systems in place that are facilitated by global trade, large scale industrialisation and an enormous demand. These factors and more, such as social conditioning, culture and other anthropogenic factors, are the genesis of the core fundamentals of veganism.

Why should others suffer for us when we gain nothing from it? Why should we eat meat if we can get all our nutrients from plant-based sources? Why should we wear leather and fur if we can create synthetic materials that are just as durable and comfortable? Why should we test harmful chemicals on animals, and conduct cruel experiments on them when we can deduce possible outcomes through other humane means?

Veganism tries to expel myths and outdated cultural norms that don’t provide any value in the modern day. If a lion eats a gazelle, then why can’t humans eat meat? Where can you get your protein other than from animals? Fur is so warm and leather is so fashionable, why would you want to wear anything else?

This ethical pingpong is endless. For every argument that vegans make, non-vegans will have a counterargument. Sometimes, these arguments will be impeded on sentiments and emotional guilt tripping. Other times they will be hinged on a lack of common sense or awareness. However one may see this dichotomy, it’s always going to spin around in circles.

So why should anyone for that matter consider going vegan? Why not just allow things to happen like they’re happening, and suffer the consequences later on? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger is the old adage, but I’m sure Nietzsche would be rolling in his grave seeing that we choose to ignore the consequences of consuming animal products because we’re too comfortable with how things are. For that matter, the issue doesn’t boil down to preference or taste but rather the willingness to change. Does it seem too idealistic for you? For me it doesn’t. Veganism means that everyone is placed equally, and that our existence shouldn’t dictate the existence of others. It took centuries for slavers to realise this, and it took many more years to create some societal understanding that everyone is born free. In practice, we all have a life to live, so why do we go around ruining others? If we truly understood the value of life, and the beauty that enshrines it, would we then tarnish that for others, even if they aren’t as conscious or as sentient as we are? This is apparently true when it comes to dogs and cats, or as we like to call them “our pets”. But at the end of the day, that is just a western normalisation that isn’t the case everywhere. Other parts of the world eat our companions that we cuddle or play fetch with, so what does that say about their lifestyles? Absolutely nothing. It just means that it’s different from ours.

No matter how we look at it, or try to justify it, veganism will always seem to make sense. The idea of leaving everyone alone is achievable, and why shouldn’t it be? There are millions of vegans living a 100% vegan lifestyle, and I’m sure many of them had to switch from an omnivorous one. “I can’t quit cheese” or “I love bacon too much” are just last resort reactions. All what they mean by is that they’re unwilling to change because change is uncomfortable and the reality is harsh and cruel. Simply put, many people will eat chicken nuggets but won’t kill the chicks themselves. Shocking? Not really. Humans are herd animals and we feel protected within a group. When we’re left alone, we lose our minds. Unless we have it in us to stray from the pack and tread the wilderness alone, we’re a lost cause. As such, it’s not shocking to me that people can’t kill a pig, cow, chicken or whatever other animal they eat because why should they? Someone else will do it for them.

So where do we go from here? What made me commit to veganism isn’t its incurring health benefits or lower environmental footprint, but rather that every day that goes by, animals are saved because of my choice. We might think that we’re too small to make a difference and that could be true. But collectively, we make up a big sum of people who think enough is enough. Like every other cause that humans have had to fight for, time and patience are key. I never wonder if I’m missing out or that my lifestyle is stopping me from being the best version of myself. In fact, I think I’m more aware of what I’m doing because of my lifestyle. I think I tend to eat healthier than the average person because I had to spend countless of hours researching nutrition and plant-based foods. On top of that, I have a sense of my environmental footprint because of all this research and I try to be green as much as I can manage (and I still think I have a lot to work on). I also think that veganism has allowed me to embrace my humanity, and extend it towards others unconditionally. I’m no saint, but I know for a fact that I’ve become more accepting of life and its tides now than I have ever been before. Maybe it’s maturity, or maybe it’s the connection I’ve gained through veganism over these past few years. But one thing is for certain and that is I think I’ve lifted a big boulder off my shoulders when I turned vegan–the epiphany of realising that my existence doesn’t cause suffering to others.

If you want to try veganism this veganuary, I say go for it. You have nothing to lose and all to gain. It’s a good way to start the year off, and there is no harm involved. No harm to your mind, body, spirit or others for that matter. There are plenty of resources out there for you to learn from, and many upon many recipes to cook/eat. You’re not signing a contract, and you’re not obliged to remain this way. However, one thing’s for certain and that is you’re ultimately doing more good by switching diets and lifestyles than by remaining idle. Why? Because morality, science and common sense say so. I hope that you’ll join us this month, and continue on in the upcoming months as well. It’ll be a service to yourself, the animals and the planet.

Stay blessed, and happy Veganuary.