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Dear Christa, 

I’m newly vegan, but I feel uncomfortable telling people about this because I’m still learning and haven’t gotten rid of all my non-vegan clothes yet because I can’t afford a new wardrobe right now to replace everything.  I just don’t want to be labeled a hypocrite or judged about my veganism because I’m not all the way there yet.  Any advice on how to deal with these concerns?

I understand how tough it can be starting out and learning all the ins and outs of veganism, so I can certainly sympathize with your concerns.  However, I think what you must remember is that this is your journey and you don’t need to explain or justify your actions to anyone.  It’s up to you to decide with whom you want to share your new veg lifestyle.

Those closest to you should understand that you’re a newbie and not report you to the animal rights authorities for stoning because you still have some leather shoes in the closet. On the other hand, if you don’t feel comfortable talking about it until you’ve completely purged yourself of all things non-vegan, that’s fine too.  I think you should also bear in mind that it’s one thing to have non-vegan clothing in your closet from your pre-vegan days and another to still go on buying things once you have embraced the lifestyle fully.

I encourage you to be true to yourself and take this journey one day at a time and try not to be too concerned with the opinions of others while you’re still navigating this new territory.  I personally believe there is no right or wrong way to do things when you’re first starting out with the veg lifestyle.  In veganism and in life, everyone must follow their own path.

Be confident in your choice to become vegan and all the tools you need will become available to you along the way.  For those that want to judge or criticize you for where you are, I think you might consider purging them before worrying about your wool coat.

– Best, Christa

Photo Credit: emilychang