Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Last weekend  I finished putting away our summer clothes and begrudgingly organized our fall and winter clothes. It was just in time because the first snow flakes fell last night. I hung up my sweaters and lined up my winter shoes while bagging up my beloved flip flops and sandals.

As I brought out my winter warmies, I noticed a pattern emerging, I own more wool clothes than a researcher living at the South Pole. This situation was unfolding like the suede and leather sandal realization from a few months ago (8/28 Outgrowing My Shoes).  I was somewhat shocked but the truth is, as a 13 year vegetarian I never gave wool or silk a second thought. I dont know why, I just didnt.  It was part of the forgetting. I have always been vehemently opposed to wearing leather, yet I had a closet full of suede sandals. I would never, ever advocate for animals suffering to produce goods, yet  I have been wearing my wool warmies every winter.

I am sharing this with you because I am certainly not the first person to come to this realization about themselves through the process of transitioning to a more compassionate lifestyle. It is creating some grief and sadness because now that I feel this way, I cant unfeel it or turn it off.  I want everything I already have to be veganized and in line with my beliefs. That thinking just isn’t realistic. I cant get rid of my winter coats and all of my sweaters before I have more to replace them with.  It would be setting unrealistic expectations for myself, my budget and my wardrobe.

I want to continue to be inspired and excited to make compassionate and responsible choices moving forward. Choices that I know are changing the world one meal, sweater and shoe at a time. Every animal friendly and compassionate choice we make snowballs into movements and advancements that we would have never thought possible. Had you asked me five years ago if my local grocery store would sell soy milk or vegetarian ribs I would have said no way.

My point is that it does not have to be all or nothing…. just because I still have some wool sweaters does not equal that I am now going to eat a chicken. We make the rules for our own lives. We decide what fits and how its going to fit. Make the best choices for yourself and your family everyday without looking back or feeling negatively about past choices. Lets move forward in joy and excitement for all the things we can do to positively effect the lives of animals and ourselves.

Have a delicious weekend.

*Photo Courtesy of Paul Kipping

Tags: compassionate choices, going veg, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan lifestyle, vegan transition, vegan wannabe, vegans and wool, vegetarian transition, vegetarians and wool, wearing wool