How to Transition to Being Vegan in a Mindful Way
It seems in popular culture, veganism has become a fad. In reality the diet is scientifically proven to improve your health as well as the quality and expectancy of your life. Many times we find ourselves making a commitment to develop healthier habits, but after a few days we end up doing the same old thing. Creating healthy habits does not need to be a task that seems impossible. By changing your approach to changing your habits, you are sure to notice the simplicity of adopting a vegan diet.
It is most common for people to try and develop new habits by cutting off their old ones cold turkey, but this rarely generates desired results. In Atomic Habits, the New York Times #1 best seller by James Clear, we are advised to work on improving ourselves 1% daily. This means focusing on changing a small aspect of our diet each day. Our brains are wired to pick up on patterns, so an easy way to consciously change a habit is to create a new pattern. Instead of trying to jump from being an omnivore (eating both plants and animals) to a strict raw vegan, we should try and change one of our meals a day. Maybe for breakfast (if you eat it), instead of what you’re used to, you could have a platter of fruit. Starting from there, other changes will become easier as your palette will begin to change the more you make a habit out of eating a healthy breakfast. Once eating a fruit filled breakfast becomes like clockwork, salads and other green meals throughout your day will seem less daunting.
Although changing your diet should come from intrinsic motivation, who you surround yourself with plays a bigger factor than you may think. If you find a way to surround yourself with a community of vegan’s you will find it easier to adopt the diet. Humans are communal creatures who value comroddary. Once you commit to changing one of your meals to vegan, you are left with the others. Ambition alone will not be able to drive you to change those leftover meals. If it is a weekly lunch/dinner with people who eat healthier than you, it will become easier to change your remaining meals on your own. The more you surround yourself and spend time with people encouraging your new diet, the easier it will be for you to stick to it. With community comes outlets that will be able to understand and advise you along the way. As you face difficulties in your growth, being able to confide in people you trust is outrageously important. Being around people who aid in your growth will not only keep you more accountable, but it will also develop healthy relationships that could carry you for years. No one likes to let go of friendships, but if someone is not willing to aid you in your growth, you should know when to stop valuing that relationship.
The most important aspect of changing something about yourself is believing you can do it. You first have to let go of doubts and insecurities that hold you back from changing. Change is uncomfortable, but if you view yourself as someone who is open to change and willing to be healthier it will get easier. All of these tips and tools are useless unless you believe you are capable of it.
A simple exercise that will benefit you in building a positive connection with health is to ask yourself this question, “What would a healthy person do?” When you are at the grocery store trying to decide what to buy, ask yourself, “What would a healthy person buy?” The more constant these questions come up, not only will you be able to realize unhealthy habits you may have, but you will also have the power in that moment to change them. When focusing on changing your diet, you may alter the question to “What would a vegan do?” When you are craving greasy and processed foods, it is helpful to take a moment and ask yourself “What would a vegan be craving?” Minute questions like that will impact your behavior quite dramatically.
As you become more fine tuned with yourself and your habits, your goals will also become more specific. It is also important to be gracious and kind to yourself. You won’t get it right all at once, changing habits takes time and how much time it takes is variable. Everyone’s journey to living better is personal and unique, never take more than inspiration when comparing yourself to someone who is further along in their personal journey than you. Allow yourself to fail, but don’t allow the failure to deter you from your goal.
Once you begin changing your diet, you are infinitely closer to becoming a vegan than quitting.
You may also find useful:
Checkout Nana Konamah’s “ Eat from Home Guide” featuring favorite vegan recipes including a whole section on various nut and seed milks and a vegan shitor (Ghanaian black pepper sauce)
This popular Healthline article featuring a guide on how to transition to being vegan as a beginner
This YouTube Video on How to be vegan in Ghana while eating Ghanaian food including this other dope Ghanian vegan food prep video.
If you live in Ghana and do CrossFit, you might find this other video super useful to help you manage your fitness life while staying off the animal flesh and secretions.
Oh and how about this video from one of our favorite vegan authors and content creators Sweet Potato Soul on how to be vegan on a budget, because it’s nice to eat good but who wants to go broke?
Are you enjoying this article and want more of nanakonamah.com? Here are all the ways you can continue to connect:
Follow @nanakonamah on Instagram and Facebook
Subscribe to Nana Konamah’s YouTube channel and never skip a notification on new vidoes
AND… join the email list to liven up your boring ass over crowded inbox and receive Nana Konamah’s super witty, informative and often humorous newsletter with life updates, recipes, tips on mind, body and soul every month (or so) >>> Sign up here :).
