Since my last post, I became more radicalized as predicted.
I am plotting to become vegan in 2026, most specifically when I move back to PDX. Until then, I will be microdosing veganism and, well, maybe macrodosing it too.
My rationale? Easing in will help me build sustainable habits. I will learn how to make veganism a lifestyle, i.e. identifying alternatives and working with less “conveniences”. I don’t believe veganism has to be inconvenient, I believe it will just take planning, preparation, and exploration. For example, stocking the house with bulk amounts of plant-based foods that can be snacked on with little to no prep time. Identifying local vegan restaurants. Having recipes on hand. Things like that! In addition to easing in for the sake of building sustainable habits, I also currently do not stock a majority of what’s in my fridge — my mom does. My mom’s love language is making us dinners. While she very kindly has been making vegetarian versions of meals for me, I feel as though rejecting every non-vegan meal she makes would be abrupt and potentially hurtful. For this reason, perhaps the foods I buy and the meals I cook will align with veganism, but the foods she makes for me could have dairy, or something like that.
I am just entering this world but am already getting a lot of information about it on social media. I am noticing that there is discourse around “perfect vegans” and the possibility of that shutting down people who want to become more plant based but feel discouraged by “perfect veganism” (meaning that you are 100% accurate in your veganism at all times). I hear arguments for people not having to be perfect, but reducing their intake of animal products to whatever degree they can, still resulting in massive benefits (for the environment, for the animals, for the person). I also hear the arguments of people who are 100% vegan, saying that a “switch has been flipped” for them in their understanding of products, and how they could never participate in using an animal’s body for exploitative reasons. To this type of person, the flipped switch does not allow for wiggle room because any product created out of animal products is seen for what it is: exploitative and entirely against their values.
I want all of the rage bait. I want all of the viewpoints and information. I want to fuel my reasonings and become the most accurate version of the person I want to be, and the advocate I want to become.
I don’t know what has been the catalyst for so much radical change in my life. I feel like I differ so much from even recent past versions of myself. I am grateful for these changes, for the current state of my mind, my life, my heart, and my goals.
I have clear goals for my life as of right now. I’m even re-envisioning the relationship structures I want to partake in. I can see myself practicing polyamory.
My dream life would include veganism and being in a loving polycule… there, I said it.
Manifesting this for myself.
All of that said, Portland is undeniably the best fit for me, and I feel like there are even more ways that this truth will revel itself once I’ve lived there longer. Being a hub for vegan restaurants and lifestyles, being a safe haven for queer/poly people, and just generally being a fun, whimsical, nature-rich city in which I already have a big and loving friend community… I don’t see any other place for me. Oops!
Love, laughter, & lesbianism,
Bri 🙂