Spreading a vegan message is incredibly important and taken very seriously by the majority of vegans.
I want to communicate using empathy and compassion.
Example: Your child leaves their clothes on the floor. You yell at your child for them to pick up the clothes. From then on, your child picks up their clothes. Success.
Has yelling worked? Yes.
Why has yelling worked? Because your child subconsciously associates leaving their clothes on the floor with feelings of guilt, anger, resentment etc.
That’s not the way I wish to communicate. I want people to transition to veganism out of love for animals and themselves.
I am what is known as an ‘apologetic vegan’. I think that the best way to spread a vegan message is by providing logical arguments, encouraging small steps, empathising and by avoiding guilt-trips. Other, more confrontational vegans, may take umbrage with this approach and prefer their more aggressive style.
However this blog is totally for the non-vegans. My message to you is very simple: Listen to what works for you.
If it’s hard-hitting messages that light a fire in your belly to help animals then that’s mega, however I’ve heard many people say that vegans are far too aggressive and they won’t ever become vegan for that very reason (not a good argument but an argument nonetheless). If aggression isn’t your cup of tea then please don’t let it deter you from saving animals.
Instead of listening to their aggression, be inspired by their desperation.
We’re all desperate for the animals, we just show it in different ways.
I’m always here for anyone who would like any super-friendly help in reducing their animal product intake, please never hesitate to contact me. However if you’re looking for something more shocking then I would highly recommend checking out the very powerful and passionate blog: Dig Out Your Soul (Warning: Some images may upset). Lastly, if you’re looking for something a bit more in between the two blogs then let me know and I’ll be more than happy to look around for something that best fits you and your journey.
Thanks for reading 💚
Looks like a great blog and totally understand your message and its a great way to promote it.
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Thanks Melissa 💚
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Such a huge passion for saving animals myself ♡
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That’s wonderful Louann – can you expand on what you do for animals? 💚
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I was looking at a job ad today and it looked pretty good, its part time which I would love, and its near where I keep my horses. And I know I can do the admin work no problem. So I check the website thinking it was an outdoor gear company, and they’re outfitters for hunters! Yikes! I don’t think so. I don’t understand how people can hunt animals just for trophies or for food. Eat something else!
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Gosh yes… That is a shock! Hunting for sport is deplorable whereas hunting if you have no other means of food is fine, but it just so happens that most of us live in countries where there are so many cruelty-free options.
Happy to hear you won’t be joining the hunting company haha! 💚
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Brilliant! Thank you for not pushing too hard, because you’re right: people will only do what works for them.
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Thanks Estelle. Yes that would have been me a couple of years ago… So I’m just trying to go about spreading the wonderful vegan message in a way that would have appeased the younger me.
Thanks for your mega comment 💚
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I think it’s great that you want to be non-aggressive about your message. It’s easier to get people to hear you out!
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Thanks Jenn, that’s precisely the reason why I go about it the way I do 💚
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Nicely put Zoë! I feel communication towards vegans needs to be personal centred. By tapping into the individuals interest whilst challenging them has been an effective approach for me in the past.
I do feel though that ‘guilt tripping’ has too many negative connotations. People have said to me in the past they have felt guilty about eating animal flesh and that seeing Facebook posts about how their food is out on their plate has made them feel guilty…
From knowing you over the past 6 months, it’s clear that empathy and compassion are the key communication tools towards non vegans and have been successful in doing so through your stories about friends n fam reducing animal products and transitioning to a vegan lifestyle (if anyone hasn’t checked these blogs out then I’d recommend reading them!) They make an enjoyable read).
Thanks for doing all you do Zoë! You’re a brilliant activist! x
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Ah Marc you’re so wonderful! You’re precisely right… People with at least some compassion for animals feel guilty already so it will just make them feel worse if we push them in that direction.
I really appreciate your comments and very happy to be your friend and co-activist 💚 xx
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It’s great that you spread your message in a non pushy way!!
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Ah thank you RM 💚
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My bestie is a vegan and I love her food and suggestions for sub. to me as a non vegan!
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That’s great that she helps you out and also that you seem super open to vegan food… You guys sound like mega people 💚
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Really well said – thank you for your message! Definitely gives me food for thought (absolutely no pun intended, honestly). I have friends who are vegan and have always been interested in their choices and their diet.
Jaime
Angloyankophile
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Haha loving the (non) pun Jaime.
That’s nice that you take a positive interest in their veganism… I’m sure that they realy appreciate it. I feel great when my non-vegans ask genuine questions 💚
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I think you’ve met your goal of not being aggressive. I hear your points and believe they’re valid. Thanks for the read.
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That is an incredibly nice and logical response. Thank you very much 💚
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Interesting perspective
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Such an enormous passion and care for animals. I hope people are like you in general.
– https://www.clintmamuri.com
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Thank you for your very complimentary comment Clint 💚
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Excellent blog as always.xxx
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Ah thanks Grannie Annie 💚
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Well done! I’m not into the more aggressive activists. Most of us used to not be vegan at some point, and I don’t believe it’s right to judge others. Step by step is still better than nothing. Also, we must realize that, even as vegans, we still contribute to suffering in this world (to humans and animals alike) so we should not feel morally superior to others.
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Nina thank you for your comment… I completely forgot to mention that suffering that vegans contribute to. It is so important to acknowledge that although veganism is about causing the least harm possible, it doesn’t mean that we are completely without fault.
I really appreciate this comment, thank you! 💚
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Nina thank you for your comment… I completely forgot to mention that suffering that vegans contribute to. It is so important to acknowledge that although veganism is about causing the least harm possible, it doesn’t mean that we are completely without fault.
I really appreciate this comment, thank you! 💚
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Nice article! My food blog is my activism. My hope is that by making really good vegan food accessible to everyone, more people will go vegan. I have tried being more outspoken, but have not had a lot of success in converting people that way. I think the important thing is to share the vegan message in whatever way you are most comfortable.
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Thank you Deborah.
I think that’s mega if you’ve found your activism niche. I think vegan food is a great way of normalising veganism and getting a positive message out to the world. I notice that if I add a food post to Facebook (for example) then it gets considerably more attention than a less-subtle post about veganism, so you’re probably on to a winner!
By the way, what’s the link to your food blog? It’s not linked on your comment. I’d love to take a look 💚
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I love your message and the passion you convey towards life. Thank you!
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Ah that’s very nice – thank you Christine 💚
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Very well timed. I have a friend who just turned vegan and she’s never felt better.
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That’s excellent news! Well done to your friend. I wish her all the best in her vegan journey 💚
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Thank you for spreading the message!
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Thank you Alexandria 💚
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Nicely said! I think the best way to spread a message is to just listen to people and be consistent. Eventually, when veganism is on their mind they’ll come to you – but they need to be ready first!
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I absolutely agree with your comment Shelby – thank you. It’s all about planting a seed and then being incredibly patient 💚
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Great and well-written blog. Thank you for spreading the message! I am not a vegan and eat almost everything God gives.
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Hi Abul and thanks for the comment.
God also gave us compassion. I don’t think we have a choice as to who we should extend that compassion to. The compassion should be extended to everyone including animals.
Also if you eat ‘almost everything’ that God gives, I hope that includes the fur, the eyes, the blood, the testicles etc… Not just the norm which is by far no where near ‘almost everything’ that God gives.
Thank you for being respectful towards my blog 💚
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Thank you for sharing your message and not shoving it down other people’s throats. I respect vegans and admire their commitment to their cause. Regardless of our dietary choices we should all work towards more human treatment of animals.
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That’s lovely that you respect vegans and understand what we try to do in life.
One of the issues we do have is the use of the word ‘humane’ with regards to animals. Is there a humane way to kill an animal? I often wonder what that means and then come to the conclusion that such a death does not exist.
I do massively appreciate the care and thought you are making towards animals though. Thank you for commenting 💚
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Another brilliant blog post! This really hits the nail on the head. I too believe that being pushy or aggressive will not change someone’s opinion, let alone open their mind. Leading by example and providing and sharing information so people can make knowledge based decisions is the key.
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Good to know someone agrees 🙂 I guess everyone has their own strategies but this one really works for me and sounds as though it works for you too.
How come you don’t link your blog to your name when commenting btw? You totally should! 💚
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I very much appreciate your compassion in what you believe in! I’m not a vegan but I do believe in cruelty free treatment of animals. Most people don’t respond positively to anger and forced messages, I agree with your approach. Great post!
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Hi Tara… Thank you for reinforcing my ethos. It’s people like you that I rely on. You are more than happy to learn about my argument without feeling defensive and you’re so open-minded. I really appreciate the time you take to comment 💚
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