When I first went vegan eight years ago, I thought I was simply changing what I ate. I had no idea I was about to change how I saw food, people, culture—and even myself. Looking back, I wish I could go back and tell that younger version of me what I now know.
These are the 10 things I wish I’d known when I first started my vegan journey.
1. You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference
When I began, I treated veganism like a moral report card. If I slipped up—even accidentally eating a sauce that had fish in it—I’d feel like a fraud.
But over time, I realized veganism isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention. Every plant-based meal makes a small but real difference. The goal isn’t purity—it’s progress. If you focus on progress, you’ll stay the course for years.
What matters is consistency, not flawless adherence. Even the most devoted vegans occasionally make mistakes or exceptions while traveling or socializing. That doesn’t erase your impact.
2. Your body needs time to adjust—and that’s okay
The first few months, my digestion was a rollercoaster. I felt bloated one week and light as air the next. I thought something was wrong with me.
It turns out that transitioning to a plant-based diet means changing your gut microbiome—and that takes time. The fiber intake skyrockets, and your body has to adapt.
If I’d known to take things slowly—introducing beans, lentils, and cruciferous veggies gradually—I would have saved myself a lot of discomfort. Listen to your body and don’t rush the transition.
3. You’ll need to supplement—especially with B12
I used to believe that if I just “ate a balanced vegan diet,” I wouldn’t need supplements. That was naive.
The truth is, vitamin B12 doesn’t naturally occur in plant foods anymore—it used to come from bacteria in the soil and water, but modern sanitation practices remove it. Without supplementation, B12 deficiency can cause fatigue, brain fog, and even nerve issues.
After six months of feeling sluggish, I finally got tested—and sure enough, my B12 was low. Once I started supplementing, my energy returned almost overnight.
A simple B12 supplement, along with vitamin D and omega-3s from algae, can make all the difference.
4. People will question your choices—and that’s not your problem
When I first went vegan, I spent so much time defending my decision. Friends would say things like, “But don’t plants have feelings too?” or “Humans are meant to eat meat.”
I’d spend hours explaining my reasons, sharing documentaries, and trying to convince them. It was exhausting.
Eventually, I realized that other people’s discomfort says more about them than me. You don’t owe anyone a debate. Live your values quietly and confidently—people notice integrity more than arguments.
Some of those same friends now ask me for vegan recipes. Go figure.
5. Restaurants and social events get easier over time
Back in 2017, finding vegan food at a restaurant in Singapore was like trying to find a snowman in Saigon. I’d scan menus desperately, end up with fries and salad, and feel left out.
Fast forward to today, and vegan options are everywhere—Asian cuisine in particular has adapted beautifully. But even now, I’ve learned the key is preparation.
Eat a little before you go out, check the menu online, or politely call ahead. Over time, you’ll know exactly which cuisines are naturally vegan-friendly—Thai, Indian, Mediterranean—and which ones need tweaking.
And remember: socializing isn’t about the food. It’s about the people. Once you stop stressing, you’ll enjoy yourself again.
6. You’ll need to learn to cook—really cook
When I started, I survived on avocado toast, hummus wraps, and smoothies. But after a few months, it got boring.
The breakthrough came when I learned how to build flavor—how to use spices, nutritional yeast, umami ingredients like mushrooms and miso, and how to make sauces that could turn any vegetable into comfort food.
Learning to cook isn’t just about eating better—it’s about reclaiming joy in food.
I now see veganism not as restriction but as exploration. There are entire cuisines—Ethiopian, Indian, Vietnamese—that are naturally plant-based and bursting with flavor. Once you discover that, you’ll never look back.
7. Don’t expect everyone around you to change
For a while, I became that vegan—the one who wanted everyone to see what I saw. I’d send my family documentaries, share stats about animal agriculture, and feel frustrated when they didn’t instantly change.
Eventually, I realized people rarely change through guilt. They change through example.
Now, I simply cook delicious vegan meals when people come over. I don’t label them as “vegan”—I just let the food speak for itself. More than once, someone has said, “Wait, this doesn’t have meat?” That’s when I know I’ve made an impact.
Lead with kindness, not judgment. It’s far more persuasive.
8. Vegan doesn’t automatically mean healthy
When I went vegan, I assumed I’d automatically become the picture of health. I didn’t.
Oreos, fries, and vegan cheese pizzas are still processed foods. In the beginning, I ate a lot of “accidentally vegan” junk food because it was convenient. My energy dipped, and my skin broke out.
It took me a while to realize that whole-food veganism—not just veganism—was what made me feel incredible.
Now I focus on the basics: beans, greens, grains, nuts, seeds, and colorful fruits. I still enjoy treats, but 80% of my diet comes from whole foods. That’s when the real transformation happened—better energy, clearer mind, better workouts.
9. Your relationship with food and mindfulness will deepen
Before veganism, I never thought about where my food came from. Now, every meal feels intentional.
There’s something deeply mindful about eating in a way that aligns with your values. It makes you slow down, savor, and express gratitude.
I often think about the Buddhist principle of ahimsa—non-harm—and how it applies not just to animals, but to myself. When I eat mindfully, I’m less likely to overeat or use food as emotional comfort.
Veganism, for me, became more than a diet—it became a daily mindfulness practice.
10. The world is slowly catching up—so be patient
Eight years ago, I used to feel like an outsider. People would roll their eyes or make jokes when I ordered oat milk. Now, that same oat milk is in every café.
The movement has grown in ways I never could’ve imagined. From athletes to chefs to parents raising plant-based kids, veganism is becoming mainstream.
If you’re just starting, know this: you’re not alone. You’re part of a global shift toward compassion and sustainability. And while it might not always be easy, it’s worth it.
Final reflections
After eight years, I can say this lifestyle has made me healthier, more compassionate, and more aware of how interconnected everything is.
But I also know that being vegan isn’t about moral superiority—it’s about living in alignment with what feels right for you. It’s about realizing that your choices ripple outward.
If you’re just starting out, take it slow. Don’t aim for perfection. Focus on progress, kindness, and curiosity.
And above all, enjoy the journey—it’s one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make.
A quick note on compassion and balance
When I wrote my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How to Live with Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I realized how deeply veganism connects with Buddhist ideas. Both are about awareness—of what we consume, how we treat others, and how we live.
Veganism taught me humility. It reminded me that I can always grow, evolve, and choose more mindfully.
So whether you’re already vegan or just curious, remember: small steps done with awareness create big changes over time.
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