I've been vegan for a little over a year (in other words, not very long); yet, it seems the longer I'm vegan, the harder I find it to be around those who aren't. I live with non-vegans and can't stand the smell of cooking meat. I don't even like to use the same pan or utensils that the meat or eggs have touched. When I see dead animal flesh, I completely lose my appetite and often feel like crying. I often feel angry towards close friends and relatives who continue to support animal agriculture even though they profess to be animal lovers.
I worry that my passion for veganism is driving a wedge between myself and those who don't see ethics from my point of view. Honestly, I don't want to feel this way. It was much easier before I went vegan and had no ethical concern for other peoples' life decisions; but now, every time a friend says she just feels "better on animal protein," or a relative wants to cook bacon in the home we share, I feel a tremendous surge of grief and anger. I do my best to be respectful. I don't lecture them or attempt to try to turn them vegan by any other means. However, I'm sure they can sense my judgement, which probably makes them feel defensive.
Sometimes, I worry that my feelings and subsequent actions are extreme. I'm sure they are viewed as such by most people, anyway. Then again, most people think animal agriculture is normal, whereas I view it as extreme. I would love to be one of those approachable, non-judgemental vegans who was completely content to do her part and hope that her example would be enough. Rationally, I think that is a far better approach. But whenever I see bacon, I see a pig - a sweet, intelligent creature - and I hear his screams as he's killed for his flesh. When I see cheese, I see a vulnerable calf being ripped away from his mother; I hear their cries. When I see an omellette, I see helpless newborn chicks being ground alive. And then I look at the person who's supporting these brutal, merciless acts - the person who doesn't want to hear the truth, who lives in hypocracy simply for their own pleasure or convenience - and I find it so difficult to be accepting and non-judgemental.
Has anyone here ever been in a similar position? If so, how have you coped? How do you foster fruitful relationships with your non-vegan friends and family? Thank you for any advice you can offer.
I worry that my passion for veganism is driving a wedge between myself and those who don't see ethics from my point of view. Honestly, I don't want to feel this way. It was much easier before I went vegan and had no ethical concern for other peoples' life decisions; but now, every time a friend says she just feels "better on animal protein," or a relative wants to cook bacon in the home we share, I feel a tremendous surge of grief and anger. I do my best to be respectful. I don't lecture them or attempt to try to turn them vegan by any other means. However, I'm sure they can sense my judgement, which probably makes them feel defensive.
Sometimes, I worry that my feelings and subsequent actions are extreme. I'm sure they are viewed as such by most people, anyway. Then again, most people think animal agriculture is normal, whereas I view it as extreme. I would love to be one of those approachable, non-judgemental vegans who was completely content to do her part and hope that her example would be enough. Rationally, I think that is a far better approach. But whenever I see bacon, I see a pig - a sweet, intelligent creature - and I hear his screams as he's killed for his flesh. When I see cheese, I see a vulnerable calf being ripped away from his mother; I hear their cries. When I see an omellette, I see helpless newborn chicks being ground alive. And then I look at the person who's supporting these brutal, merciless acts - the person who doesn't want to hear the truth, who lives in hypocracy simply for their own pleasure or convenience - and I find it so difficult to be accepting and non-judgemental.
Has anyone here ever been in a similar position? If so, how have you coped? How do you foster fruitful relationships with your non-vegan friends and family? Thank you for any advice you can offer.