Coping With "Vegan Depression" (hexbear.net)

submitted 7 months ago by Angel@hexbear.net to c/vegan@hexbear.net

NSFW 2 comments fedilink hide all child comments

[CW: Mention of Animal Cruelty]

Knowing what happens to innocent animals en masse every single day is really freakishly upsetting to me. Does anyone else who relates to this feeling have a way to feel better about it?

I was browsing content on a vegan activist's Instagram page two nights ago, and I should've been more cautious because one of her reels showed a cow...

Well, I'm not gonna finish typing what happened to the cow because it hurts me to acknowledge it so directly, but you get what I mean.

I felt so fucked up watching the clip that night to a point where I literally sobbed and cried myself to sleep. I was feeling like I wanted zero association with omnivores anymore, but because that's not feasible, I'll try to keep it together.

What helps you navigate these feelings?

top 2 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[-] Babs@hexbear.net 16 points 7 months ago

Yeah it's horrifying. We are fighting against massive societal currents for even the smallest amount of progress, and the fact that most people don't even see the issue makes it that much worse.

Kind of like being a communist.

Personally, I just limit my exposure to shit that triggers that response in me. We might not be able to save the Omelas kid, but we can walk away and try to convince others of what is happening. Pace yourself and pick your battles. Activist videos like Dominions and Earthlings are tools we use against carnism - you don't need to expose yourself to that stuff if you're already against it.

I hear going to animal sanctuaries can be real good vegan self-care.

[-] ButtBidet@hexbear.net 6 points 7 months ago

I basically came to say roughly what @Babs@hexbear.net here is saying. Burnout is a real thing, and you gotta limit your exposure. It's really great that you care, but you suffering is not somehow going to make things better faster.

I second the idea of going to sanctuaries. Also the lib vegan groups in my city keep my sane, at least there's heaps of other people who think like me.

Finally, I just don't watch any more slaughterhouse videos. Like I'm fully vegan and on board with not hurting them. I don't see anything positive with me rewatching Dominion or Earthlings.

this post was submitted on 26 Mar 2024

24 points (100.0% liked)

vegan

6782 readers

20 users here now

:vegan-liberation:

Welcome to /c/vegan and congratulations on your first steps toward overcoming liberalism and ascending to true leftist moral superiority.

Rules

No plant-based diet bullshit or promotion of plant-based capitalism. Veganism isn't about you, it's about historical materialist anti-speciesism, anti-racist animalization, and animal liberation. Ethical vegans only.
No omni apologists or carnists. Babystepping is for libs, and we're not here to pat you on the back. Good faith questions and debate about how to fight for animal liberation are allowed.
No advocating violence to any species for any reason. If you think this is negotiable GTFO. This includes but is not limited to animal testing, slaughter, and mass euthanasia. Anything that promotes speciesism or the commodification of animals will be removed.
Use Content Warnings and NSFW tags for triggering content. Especially if a comrade requests it.
Questions about diet belong in c/food. It's also a great place to share recipes.
In all sections of the site, you must follow the Hexbear.net Code of Conduct.