In modern society, where most of the population is concentrated in cities, humans live distanced from nature. In our little cubicles of concrete and forests of asphalt, we segregate ourselves from the plant and the rest of the animal kingdom (with small exceptions for close companions). Fewer and fewer of us know how to produce our own food, clothes or whatever and what it takes to produce it. With our incredibly demanding routines, we don't have time to stop and think about things that we take for granted. We mindlessly walk through supermarket isles throwing into the cart whatever is at a wallet's length, unconsciously trusting its source and method of production.

Becoming a vegan is a dramatic life decision. The conscious decision to live according to compassionate values with the aim of reducing suffering requires a radical consumption and lifestyle change. You find yourself learning about nutrition and reading through countless product labels for the 100% cotton jumper or egg-free falafels. You find yourself defending your plant based packed meal and explaining why dairy is actually detrimental to the absorption of calcium. You find yourself caring. You find yourself justifying where you get your Protein, Iron, Calcium, B12, Omega3, calories and hugs from. You find yourself making posts like this. You find yourself being shouted at, being called an extremist, a hippie, irresponsible, a snob, stupid, retarded, judgemental, a weirdo, obnoxious, lazy, prick worthless, coward and accused of forcing your views on others. Simply because you chose not to harm other beings, you find yourself.

Please feel free to share the conscious lifestyle changes that had an impact on the way you see the world and your social life.

Edit:

It still amazes me that a post which was originally meant to be about what makes people to stop and think, turns out to be yet another personal "shut the fuck up vegan" contest. Instead of trying to "educate" me on the "acceptable" way of bring up a subject that makes you uncomfortable, why don't we try to: 1) stay on topic and share any major awakenings in your life or 2) if we're going to talk about veganism let's talk about the 60 billion animals being tortured and murdered annually for human enjoyment unnecessarily just because we can, and not the vegan who just doesn't learn how to be polite, which will end up being a waste of everyone's time Or option 3) ignore this thread completely if this topic upsets you.