Did your personality change when you went vegan?
Posted by LadyDragonfly1 on Apr 05, 2007 · Member since Feb 2003 · 600 posts
Do you find that fundamental things about you have changed since going vegan? Are you more calm, do you sleep better? Do you find yourself deepening in your love for our small, beautiful planet? Are you more compassionate towards humans and other animals? If you are prone to anxiety and/or depression, do you find your symptoms getting better? Are you more positive in general? More militant about certain things?
Personally, I find my depression and anxiety are much, much better. Those are intractible problems for me (can't be treated with meds) and I think they are better now.
What about you?
I'm only a returnee ovolactoveg, but I posted a thread somewhat like this a month or so ago and no one responded so I'd like to contribute with what I've found.
I suffer (or did) terribly with insomnia of the kind that, either I'm sleepy enough to go to bed and when I lie down I discover I'm getting progressively "awaker" (which makes me want to beat my head against the wall), or I do go to sleep and wake about 3 hrs later and that is me done. And no, it isn't enough sleep. If it were, I wouldn't mind, I'd just get up at 3 AM and get on with my life. But I'm tired and groggy all day.
I was talking to a friend who started out as a chemical engineer in life, and she told me that animal-based protien is a stimulant to the organism, so I should eat veggie for supper. And it did help.
One thing led to another and over the last year I have been progressively returning to vegetaria. I feel better in myself, though my dreams of losing 20 lbs haven't materialised--that's just from lack of exercise, I'm sure. But somehow I feel lighter, and better in myself. I do sleep better, and the antidepressants I take for a stress-related disorder aren't as necessary as they were. I only "take as needed" but the "as needed" days seem to get farther and farther apart.
I like feeling that I'm lower down on the food chain. I've always been very "green" in the sense of recycling etc (I was the one who hassled City Hall till we got recycling bins in the residential areas, and it was a lot easier than I would have thought!) but since going veggie I think about it more and in different ways.
My DH has been a dyed-in-the-wool carnivore ever since I met him, and I mean carnivore--when we met there were only about 3 fruits and veg he would even consider. His mother wasn't much of a cook, bless her, and certainly didn't put herself out to find ways to prepare vegetables he might like. There are still many things he won't even try (like carrots and most fruit) but since I returned to vegetaria he has tried many, many new things--tofu among them! He is becoming more aware of the need to lower our food spending, and how expensive all meat products are getting as our buying power drops, maybe that has something to do with it. Or maybe I've been successful in "the quiet campaign"--not fussing, just cooking things for me without even offering him a taste. And sometimes he asks for some "if there's enough to share". Funny how there always is! ;) Some of the "personality changes" seem to be rubbing off on him...as I stated in another post, he mentioned that the contaminated dogfood thing is so widespread, it sounded to him like some kind of industrial sabotage (terrorism is the word he actually used) against animals--especially as they can't seem to find the cause, or are sitting on it. I've never seen him get angry on the behalf of all animals before.
Sorry to be so long-winded but you touched a chord, LD.
Not sure this is what you were looking for but in addition to the actual DIET making me feel a certain way (yes calmer!)... I think that veganism itself has changed us and brought out parts of our personalities that existed but weren't prominent.
I think DH and I are just very proud of ourselves and of each other for making a healthy choice (for us and the environment.)
The idea that if we can be vegan... "We can do anything... even if it's a difficult choice"
We like to think of ourselves as Samurai, who did something each day to better themselves. That's our family motto, "Samurai!!" LOL Anyway I think that "can do" attitude really stems from being vegan, at least for me.
It's also such a romantic silly thing... but it makes me so happy that he gave up meat and dairy so that he will live a long and healthy life and that he wants to live as long as he possibly can so that we have all that time together.
Growing old together vs. dead flesh, you know, it should be obvious! But to so many people it's not. That idea just makes me glow, I'm sure he feels the same, and that has brought us closer than ever.
I know, I know, cheesy! Or should I say... UN-cheesy LOL ::)
Hmmm - I am ovolacto techically, but during Lenten days and seasons (about 1/2 the year for us) I usually eat a vegan diet. And, I am trying to be more vegan the rest of the year. So, I can observe the back and forth progress.
During vegan times, I usually feel more peaceful, calm, and centered. I feel my life is more in balance - better tuned - healthier in more than just a physical sense. My appetite is more in check, with less cravings.
When I eat dairy and eggs, I end up feeling toxic, physically polluted - and like my life is a little out of balance. I get out-of-control cravings for more and more rich and/or sweet food. I especially notice this when I have cheese.
So, why do I eat dairy and eggs ever? Good question! The main reasons are social, rich desserts, pizza, and traditional/nostalgic/cultural foods. I am working on those, but I think the social one is the hardest to fix.
I find that I am more in tune with what my body is 'telling' me... before being a vegan I really wasn't tuned in to the slight changes/problems... now I cant believe how I could have missed them! If I eat something that I am not used to... something that I am even slightly allergic to... if I am starting to get sick.... or if somehting is just not right... needing more sleep... or craving something that I am lacking in my diet... I can usually tell...
Yes, I do think that I am more calm and think more clearly...
Actually, becoming vegan is kinda frustrating to me as of late. Health-wise, I feel so much better.
The frustrating parts ... I can't sleep. I heard from my vegan friend that vegans need less sleep than meat eaters. But I love my sleep. I get pissed if I get less than 7 hours sleep. Plus my meat-eating boyfriend is starting to anger me. Well I can't really blame him. When we met, I was eating meat, then I went veggie, now I'm vegan. He can't get it through his head that I DON'T WANT DAIRY!!!! I was Lacto-ovo for a few years so he got used to that. I don't think he realizes that vegan means No dairy. He offers me cheese pizza still, and cheese and crackers. NO!! I have been vegan for a few months. Duh! Why ask? He is making it hard for me because I used to love cheese and I'm trying to cut it out of my diet. OMG!! I just want to say "leave me alone!"
KK, hon, I know it's frustrating, but cut the poor guy some slack. You say it's been a few months...maybe he just isn't used to the idea. You are, of course, it was your decision, but some people take longer to get used to changes in others that they aren't sharing. He's probably not out to sabotage you on purpose. And of course if you're feeling sleep-deprived these things irritate you more. Stick to your guns, maybe he's not sure how serious you are about the change. If you can keep your cool and just be firm but kind about no dairy, he will eventually get used to it. You say you were ovolacto for "a few years" so in proportion it hasn't been very long. Remember that veganism is all about compassion--animals and people too. It can be hard to remember that when you feel like someone is doing something on purpose--I can relate to that. I'm not vegan but I have gone through some important changes in important aspects in my life. Sometimes we just have to wait what seems like a long time, for others around us to catch up.
I think my personality has changed over the past few months, but like baypuppy said, I'm not sure it it from going veg*n. I'm sure it's got something to do with it though. Eating meat is something that always bothered me but I just tried not to think about it. But lately, I've been trying to figure out a lot of things in life, (my true self, what I want to do with my life, not getting so wrapped up in what people think of me, learning to stand up for myself, really thinking about what is morally right in this world, my spirituality etc.) And I think this journey led me to finally going veg. I think it is something I would have done years ago but I was so wrapped up in going "main stream." As a result of trying not to care what people think, I have become more compassionate, I find I have more patience, I don't get so worked up about little stuff. I feel more "one" with my surroundings if that makes sense. I find that all these things are connencted somehow. For example, thanks to Davedrum's help, I'm stepping away from conventional pet care. (And my dog thanks me!) Sorry this is long winded, hard to put this into words. :)
Thanks Baypuppy and Yabbit. I didn't mean to sound "mean" about my boyfriend (it was another sleep-deprived night when I wrote that post). Like yabbit said, he might not have "caught on" yet. He is a good hearted guy, so he was just trying to be nice, I think. But he KNOWS I'm vegan now, and he does that often, almost like "he forgets."
But overall, since becoming vegan, I'm more aware of what I'm doing to my body or putting in it. I agree with Deuceo. I've been trying to figure out a lot of things in life, (my true self, what I want to do with my life, not getting so wrapped up in what people think of me, learning to stand up for myself).
I started martial arts again (which feels awsome). Great for cardio. I want to quit drinking and smoking (yes another smoker here :( ). I want to be, over all, more healthier.
I think some people are just slow on the uptake and if you used to be ovo-lacto, he figures you still are in a way. I know that people offer me things and forget that I don't partake. Then, they apologize like I am going to be terribly offended; I am not. This is MY choice and I don't really expect the rest of the world to remember what I like or what I don't.
I hate that I can't eat out either.
I haven't changed, but I haven't given up caffeine yet, either.
baypuppy - If you're ever really craving vegan truffles, there's a chocolatier from Eureka (California's North Coast) who makes the most incredible organic chocolate on this planet earth, including a wide vegan selection (http://www.sjaaks.com/).
I think some people are just slow on the uptake and if you used to be ovo-lacto, he figures you still are in a way. I know that people offer me things and forget that I don't partake. Then, they apologize like I am going to be terribly offended; I am not. This is MY choice and I don't really expect the rest of the world to remember what I like or what I don't.
I hate that I can't eat out either.
I totally agree LadyDragonflyMT. I used to eat out a lot. It drives me nuts that there isn't vegan places to eat where I live ... gggrrrr.
My boyfriend can't eat meat on good friday, so we were debating on what to eat. I suggested something veggie. But he decided to have fish. So I decided on a rice bowl (Japanese style). He got his fish and I had veggie in mine. It was totally easy tonight ... Wow!
If it's any comfort KK- I stopped drinking milk in 1980 (tho continued consuming other dairy after that). My Mom loves milk, and has never managed to remember that I don't drink it. Everytime she pours herself a glass, she offers me a glass, I remind her, and she says, "Oh, yeah, I forgot you don't drink milk anymore." And she's not giving me a hard time - she's just that absent-minded about it. ::)
Hopefully, 20-odd years from now, your boyfriend will remember! ;)
It's not just vegan stuff though guys, DH hasn't had a soda in 15 years and his mom still buy his "favorite kind" when we go to visit.
::) ?? ;D
Wow! you two just made a good point. Can I break him of that (offering me dairy)? In a nice way, that is.