Sometimes I laugh when people look at me in surprise: “What, you don’t eat anything else?” Yes, I do. Just without what’s familiar and convenient. And you know what? It’s not a deprivation, but a discovery. 🥑 Red peppers in a frying pan, sweet potatoes, crunchy seeds and herbs — all of this has become more important than ever. Every meal turns into a small experiment that shows that taste and pleasure can be created differently.

But veganism is not about perfection. It’s about imperfection and honesty. Sometimes I allow myself raw cookies, sometimes chocolate that doesn’t fit the strict rules. And that’s okay. I'm learning to be gentle with myself, not harsh with the world. 😌

Sometimes I think that being a vegan is not about giving up something, but about paying attention to the world. You start to see, hear and feel more: how food grows, who grows it, what trace your choice leaves. And it's scary and inspiring at the same time. 🌿

For me, veganism is not slogans, not a struggle or proving to others that I'm "right". It's a way to live so that my inner world coincides with how I act in reality. And sometimes it makes me a little happier.

Val