So You Went Vegan... Now What?

There’s this strange moment after making a big lifestyle change—right after the applause and encouragement, when you’re finally alone with your fridge. You open the door, stare blankly at some vegetables, and think: Okay... now what?

uThat’s how it starts for most people. One day you’re fired up by a documentary, a book, a post you saw online. You clear out your pantry, swear off dairy, and maybe post something green and proud to your stories. Then it hits you—this isn’t just a diet shift. It’s a whole new way of moving through the world.

And like anything new, it’s kind of awkward at first.

You realize your go-to meals don’t work anymore. You squint at labels in the grocery store like they’re coded messages. Your group chat sends a dinner invite and you pause. Can you even eat there?

It’s not dramatic. Just disorienting. Because what no one really talks about is how veganism, especially at the beginning, has this weird way of making you feel both empowered and out of place at the same time.

But here’s what no one tells you: That feeling fades.

You start picking up little habits. You get weirdly good at reading labels. You discover three ways to cook chickpeas that don’t make you miss your old meals. And slowly, this thing that felt like a radical change just becomes… life.

That’s the sweet spot.

Some people get there quickly. Others take a minute. But most get a little help along the way — not from some hardcore vegan influencer shouting at you to eat kale — but from something smaller, quieter. A recipe you found that didn’t suck. A post that made you laugh instead of guilt-trip you. A guide that made everything feel just a bit more doable.

If you’re feeling a little stuck, know this: someone out there has already felt it too — and turned it into something actually helpful.

Not preachy. Not overwhelming. Just… helpful.

Because sometimes what you need isn’t a 50-page lecture on ethics or an expensive fake meat haul — it’s a nudge in the right direction. A few easy wins. Something that says: Hey, you’re doing great. Here’s how to keep going.

Maybe you’ve already stumbled across it. Maybe it’s sitting quietly in your downloads folder, unopened, waiting for the right Sunday afternoon. Maybe someone passed along a link and you forgot where you saw it — could’ve been this one, who knows?

A lot of new vegans think they have to figure it all out immediately. But the truth is, you don’t have to become a gourmet chef or a label-reading ninja overnight. Sometimes, one well-timed tip or recipe can change your whole rhythm.

Like finding out you can make creamy pasta with cashews. Or that store-bought hummus is overpriced and ridiculously easy to make at home. Or that, yes, you can still have dessert — good dessert.

These are the small wins that add up.

And you know what? You deserve that ease. You didn’t take this step to stress over protein or feel weird at brunch. You did it because something inside you wanted better — for your body, your planet, or maybe just your peace of mind. And that version of you? That version deserves shortcuts.

So whether you’re thriving already or still googling “what do vegans even eat,” know that there’s a path through the awkward. One that doesn’t involve constant salads or tofu fatigue (unless you want tofu — in which case, get wild).

And if you ever happen to come across something that offers all of that — recipes, reassurance, a bit of realness — trust your gut. Sometimes, the tools we need show up in soft, unassuming ways.