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Everyone within a 3 metre radius of me instantly becomes a nutritional expert. I've always found that odd.

I'm 60 years old, gay and vegan, I don't care what society thinks about it, it's my life. As long as we live in a society that justifies wars, supports factory farming and treats animals not as living beings but as things, one can be proud to be part of a minority.

I don't like it when my friends and family act like I'm an inconvenience at restaurants, clothing stores, etc. because I'm vegan.

What I dislike about being vegan: why it took me so long

I really dislike how being vegan is such an incredible thing. My mum tells everyone she sees that I’m vegan and everyone questions me why and tells me how I should stop because it’s bad for my health or whatever. I get really uncomfortable because I don’t like people questioning my morals and diet I’ve done so much research to justify.

Ed’s ability to talk so calmly about these topics has me baffled every time...I strive to have that wonderful ability one day without slowly overheating internally every time ppl approach me with it

Recently hit 6 months of veganism. Would've never expected it before covid, but it's been wonderful and I don't think I'll ever go back to animal products. You were a huge influence on me trying it out. Thanks, good video

I dislike being the odd one at a restaurant table and everyone commenting on my food choices and being under a microscope. Others talking about loving beef and bacon and laughing bc they think it’s a cute joke bc I’m vegan. It’s lame but annoying. 🙄

what I dislike: people who make veganism look like a joke and make other people view me, a vegan, as a joke and are immediately turned off by anything I have to say. ☹️

The label has such a big impact. Some time back, when I was not even vegetarian, I've been in India, living together with my Indian collègues. When I first arrived, they were interested to know if I'm 'meat eater' or eat normal, which meant vegetarian. This was the first time it really clicked in my mind that eating meat was not the normal. And, I decided not to eat meat, because they would have bought it only for me as all the others were veg so that I could directly see the bad impact I myself would have. The time there was basically my begining of being vegetarian and opened the doors to consider veganism

“Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well with others.” - Cesar Chavez

The thing I dislike about being vegan: The annoying vegan stereotype. Like homie there are annoying nonvegans too, anyone can be annoying not just some vegans, calm yoself.

Exactly! When people ask me “Why are you vegan?” I tend to answer “Why are you not?”

I totally agree. Veganism should be default mode.

What I dislike about being vegan is reading ingredient labels. I hate that I just can't go into a store and pick a random item off the shelf without a high likelihood that I will be supporting absolutely horrible acts. It shouldn't be so confusing to be moral.

I really dislike that we cant make people care. It really baffles me how easily people ignore enormous severe ethical problems. I totally agree, caring about the harm we cause should be normal!

Excellent points all around, but especially the one about what to dislike about being vegan: that we are classified with a label that makes vegan ethics the minority and the unusual., instead of just being the default reality where kindness and non-exploitation of animals IS the norm !

I have one down winter jacket with a fur trim hood I got for Christmas two years before I became vegan. Sometimes feathers poke out of it as it’s getting old, and it reminds me. It is what it is, an unfortunate product of things I didn’t understand and couldn’t control. Until it’s beyond use, it’s how I’m keepin warm.

I really like the fact that Ed mentions the words "ethical" and "moral" so often. Not many people in this world are so focused on morality and justice. 🌼🏵️🌻

I have a leather belt from before I was vegan that belonged to an ex of mine from about 9 / 10 years ago. It's literally the only belt I've used since I accidentally kept it after we brokeup, and I think it's the only belt I'll ever use. I don't see a reason to buy another, or get rid of it. I subscribe to a belief in eco-minimalism, so I don't want to buy something new and use those resources when I already have something that works perfectly. I would NEVER buy anything new that is leather, but in this case the damage is already done and it has become special to me because I've had it for so long. 🤷‍♀️

Ed I love you. Thank you for everything you do.

I think donating leather items to a homeless shelter is definitely the best idea.

"I dislike that being vegan is a thing" Perfect

Okay, Ed, we all know the worst part about being vegan is going to a wedding and being served the 'vegan' option which is either dry penne pasta or iceberg lettuce with no dressing.

What i dislike is: Seeing the meat aisle in the supermarket! I walk through it with my head down, shaking my head! Seeing people who say they love animals but get angry when they hear the truth and are to lazy to change.

The thing I hate most about it is when I see the terrible things that happen and want to run to friends and family, expecting kind people like them to change immediately. But then I remember that most people don’t care; they’re too self absorbed to think that saving countless lives, the environment, and themselves is a priority over trivial garbage.

Wearing the leather items out is the best solution. Every replacement I make has a bigger carbon foot print. Donating the current value of the items to any charity while keeping them is even more effective than donating the items themselves since the charity can always work more efficient with money. This option is even cheaper for myself.

Thanks for the great content. The thing I dislike the most, is being judged and alienated for no reason then that I want to leave a better world behind me for my son and everyone.

Also lab grown meat could be a good idea for making pet food.

Yep, someday vegan will be an obsolete term like abolitionist or suffragette.

The thing I dislike the most about being vegan is living in a conditioned and brainwashed society that has their heads buried in the sand, and most are oblivious to what happens to animals because of their ignorant actions! And they look at me as the crazy one! We have so much to unlearn and a lot more educating to do! Great video Ed! 👍💙🌱

I've been donating a lot of my old things and clearing out. It has felt so cathartic to cleanse things.

You're producing content very quickly. You're the man.

Strange think is that people never trying to change their food habit but they make sure to keep their eyes on you ed, finding your small mistakes so they get a chance to blame you.

When people ask "why are you vegan" all I can think is "why are you *not* vegan"

Im 17 and I went vegan because of your videos Ed and I showed my mom gary Yourofsky's famous speech and she is trying veganism now and my little sister said she will too! I am so happy and thankful for you and all the activists on here that have educated so many people and helped so many animals. I am posting videos on tiktok about how the animals get treated in slaughterhouses and why eating meat is wrong and everything, and I know it is not as much as what you do but you are who encouraged me to start posting those types of videos! ❤

What I dislike : that vegan options aren't always available, especially in small towns. Every restaurant should have vegan options in the 21st century 🙄

What I dislike about being vegan: sometimes I feel frustrated and also guilty for not being doing more to save all these lives. They are still dying and I'm not there stopping that.

What I dislike about being vegan: Non-vegans

YOU, sir are ahead of time. Your speaking abilities are OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Great answers, Ed! I feel the same way about lab grown meat! I also support it because carnivorious animals/pets do need meat and it's a great alternative. 🐯🐾

I am eagerly waiting for a time where the answer to "So, you're a vegan?" is "Yes, aren't you?"

I'm sure others have experienced this. To me this has been the most frustrating thing about being vegan. When I identified myself as vegan to other people suddenly i'm no longer another person but "that vegan". As though my entire identity isn't me anymore its being vegan. I've been introduced as "the vegan", literally before my name is even said several times. I don't care that much, i am very proud to be vegan but it has been annoying, especially when I was in high school.

What I dislike about being vegan is you are seen as the one being disruptive and negative when they're just trying to enjoy their "nice barbecue" or "delicious ice cream". I try to stay positive and informative, but I have panic attacks from severe anxiety, and I can't help how I feel when they so blatantly disregard the animals' suffering right in front of me, and even...enjoy themselves. I hate it.

On my birthday, we were going out to eat and celebrate my birthday. I specially insisted that I didn’t want a birthday present. I just wanted my family to try the vegetarian option in subway. I asked them to and they agreed while in the car. But, my father really wanted to go to this restaurant that had a famous chicken cuisine. We really didn’t spend that much time together so I said okay thinking that maybe we’d eat something vegetarian. We went to the restaurant and I saw chickens in cages and dog were biting on their legs, and the horrible smell of meat on our way to the restaurant. I lost my appetite. There I was, sitting in the middle of my family while everyone ate chicken and I ate the bread with salad with no gift trying to hold back my tears. One of the worst feelings.

I dislike how I’m spoilt for choice with all these delicious & nutritious vegan foods ...

People like to imagine this beautiful farm with happy cows, happy farmers and happy pigs but they are afraid of that blank space in between the happy animal and the steak on their plate. This entire brutal practive of making a steak out of a cow, people just have a blank space in their mind about all that and don't want to think about it. And most people get very offended when you try to question this blank space in their believes because it triggers them. Noone likes to think that these things have to happen for their sausage but it is the reality and that reality can be changed with an easy decision, but as long as you don't take your free will and choose what ACTUALLY feels good to you deep inside beyond comfort and culture, nothing will change in the world at large.

What I hate about being vegan ? Visiting people where the whole lounge suite is leather and stinks as well, to be seen as 'not extreme' then sitting down on it

I thoroughly enjoy listening to you speak. I’m a vegan living with my parents in a non-vegan household with no other vegan friends and so I can start to feel quite alone and unheard on the topic of veganism and so watching your videos makes me feel like I do have a friend who gets me in terms of being vegan🌱🌱❤️❤️

Totally agree with your response to the question asking what you hate about being vegan. Can't we just be, no label or name.

I hate how people interrogate me when I tell them I’m vegan. I’m very passive when they ask things because I don’t want them to attack me you know. Im so tired of keeping my mouth shut. It’s my choice.

What do I hate about being vegan? Hearing the statement "I get what you are saying, but I just don't care enough"

My friends that will not realize the horrific things we do to animals.

This title was unexpected 😮

Nearing my 4 year vegan anniversary in a month, I never look back.

The one thing I dislike about being vegan is that you have a brand of vegan food you love and the supermarket replaces the entire section of crappier vegetarian brands

I think your leather response was spot on, especially saying that wearing the item out is an ethical option. Perhaps not ideal but waste is a huge problem. I think you gave many permission to use up what they have and make ethical decisions going forward.

Thank you so much for the "what to do with leather I already have" point. I've been wondering what to do with those things because most of the things made of leather that I own are related to the sports I engage in (hiking boots and climbing shoes primarily, thermo wool socks for skiing etc) and those items are very expensive. I had some leather dresses and such from my goth phase, which I donated, but I still felt bad about the sports equipment. Thanks so much for answering that question ❤️

When you were talking about what you dislike about veganism, it’s really inspiring and true! I never thought about being vegan like that. I will definitely use that point when someone asks me why are you vegan. Being vegan should be the default... thanks Ed! 💚

I think the best thing to do is donate those clothings and pieces of animals to animal sanctuary’s for making nests and beds for baby animals. That’s what Iv been doing, I have kept my leather jacket as it was a gifted item given to me with out someone realizing I was vegan, and I didn’t have any choice but to take the jacket cuz I was freezing and unable to afford a jacket for very long time and to be gifted warmth of any type, I was just so grateful to finally have my own jacket that kept me warm in the winter. @earthlinged

Ugh, the worst part about being vegan is the part where I'm happier, healthier, spending less money, helping the environment, and helping the animals. F***ing awful.

I love the Q&A style of this video and in particular I enjoyed and agreed with your answer to question 2! 🌏❤

Veganism WILL be the norm. Thank you, Ed, for yet another great video.

In regards to farm animals and living happily, just remember the first few years at school talking about the farm animals, visiting the zoo, etc. Children are born vegan, and then we reprogram them from an early age to not be. A good friend of mine is a school teacher in Denmark, and although she isn't vegan, I mentioned the idea of her discussing it with her students, remove the stigma and phobia around veganism, and give some insight into why people are vegan and how they shouldn't be mocked for it. She was more than open to the idea so here's hoping something comes of that without some angry parents phoning in to complain their kids are being "brainwashed".

I do find it tedious being called a ‘propagandist’, 'fanatic', 'do-gooder', 'self -righteous', 'extremist', 'fascist' and the worst ‘they are only animals’ rather than confront what THEY are party to in the suffering and demise of other sentient creatures. It has got better over the 38 years I’ve been a vegan or, as the animal-eater used to pronounce the word: Vagan’. At least most now know how to pronounce vegan and most even know what a vegan is……they really didn’t years back. So we are on the right track.

thank you so much for covering these slippery topics and spreading awareness of the things that might make new vegans uncomfortable. and thank you for helping me open my eyes, im ineffably happy to be able to fully relate to your words 🖤👄🖤

When almost everyone you know considers you an extremist when all you try to do is avoid cruelty and death.

Thank you Ed. I have been vegan for almost 2 years since watching your vids. Since then, I have been able to convert my entire immediate family to a vegan diet as well as some of my extended family and friends. All just from using your arguments and your conversation style. You are really saving lives and making a difference. Thanks!

I think I'll just use those leather shoes and also my backpack until it's done for.. I don't want to create a "market" for it, even if it's used.. But I also can't just throw it away. So I'll keep it and I know for sure I won't buy new leather products.

Yet another great video Ed ❤️ Thank you for your work.. Also thanks for showing skillshare looks really helpful and will be definetely giving it a try! Stay awesome cheers ❤️

i'd also like to say hello! i've only recently found your channel and i'm really enjoying your videos so far! thanks for covering so many different aspects of veganism and I'm looking forward to see what you put out next! :)

The first question, has literally been on my mind the whole day!!!! Had to pause to comment!

WARNING LONG POST: My wife and I are Vegan, We are Buddhist, in the case of my wife, she was “Born Buddhist” of the Theravada Tradition. We visit many Temples and offer what is called “Dana” we prepare (vegan) food for the Temple, Usually in our case enough to feed 8-10 persons. The food from every Temple goer, that has chosen to cook, is placed on a communal table. Monks, choose what they want in their bowls, before the “Buffet” is thrown open to the the Temple attendees. A HUGE feast is usually had by all. Our contribution is marked “vegan” - as do other Vegan Buddhists that attend, at some Temples we are the ONLY ones offering vegan dishes, if one excludes fruit, etc.. which is by and in itself Vegan. About 90% of all food offered contains Animals! I have asked (and read) as many monks as will talk with me, about their philosophy towards Animals, In EVERY case they have an answer, that confirms their position and why they must eat Animals. “Theravada countries of South East Asia, monks are obliged by the “vinaya” to accept almost any food that is offered to them, including meat, unless they suspect the meat was slaughtered specifically for them.” However this is not really true, there are ten “meats” that they will not eat, even if it is offered. SEE:- www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/bmc1.pdf Page 307 onwards. Theravada Buddhism, most will argue there are three “MAIN” branches of Buddhism, Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana - of course there are dozens and dozens of sub groups. I have NEVER, found a meat eating Monk or practitioner, to have any compassion whatsoever towards Animals - in one “debate”, the Monk insisted, Buddha, confirmed that it is OK to eat meat. Therefore that is my position!!! One Vegetarian Monk I met, took all the meat out of his offering and ate only the Veggies. The meat was fed to the Temple dogs. Whilst of course his food was cooked in "Meat", I admired him for his "stand", within a VERY rule centred Monk-hood. Ed if you read this far, I am astounded, I believe there is “No Hope” for the religious sections of society, particularly if their “Gods” or “Masters” condone the killing. .

Comment for the algorithm! Also the leather question really helped! 💚

very good answers and very interesting questions!

I think you should do a full video on lab grown meat! Explain the process of how it’s done and the ethical arguments for it, etc

Another great video! Ahhh, to live in a world where us vegans are even seen as anything other than 'extreme', 'weird' 'fussy' or 'annoying' would be great!

Lovely! Hope you will do q&a regularly. 💚🍀

Yes loved the video, but not long enough. More q&a's please!

I totally agree with what you dislike about being vegan. It shouldn't have to be a thing. Foods shouldn't be labelled as vegan, foods with animal products should be labelled as carnist or something. I hate that vegans are still such a small minority in society.

After over 30 years of the "vegan understanding" and over 40 total years plant based would like to offer suggestion. Discarding or burying leather, silk etc accomplishes nothing useful and in fact goes against the idea of consuming less. Unless the higher value is consistency and it is deemed a personal issue. Personally I have leather shoes that are rarely worn in perfect shape 35 years old, and could care less about labels. Life is about making the best possible decisions. I find the topic a bit redundant, and listen in wishing to comprehend human behavior when minds are flexible. Many are cast in concrete and can only be exposed.

I actually like how you advertised skillshare. I know with sponsors it can be weird at times but this seemed genuine from you and you made a good point

Great video Ed! Enjoyed it!

Thank you for your work Ed. I don't know how you do it I practically have a breakdown just seeing some of the pictures that come out. It is utterly depressing and soul destroying.

What I don't like about being vegan is falling in love with someone who is not vegan and isn't willing to change their hearts anytime soon.

Eloquent and reasonable as always-a joy to listen to. It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone.

This content is perfect Ed definitely think you should continue with these vids !

I don't think throwing away clothes that are made from wool or leather is a good option, it's bad for the environment.

Odd that we are told we must give our leather items away, when to keep them and wear them out would make more ethical sense in most cases.

TY for the Q&A! All the questions interested me. As to animal-derived clothing I used to wear, I’ve sold what I could, donated proceeds to animal welfare groups & offered the rest directly to homeless folks in my community.

Ed’s answer to the question, “What do you dislike about being a vegan?” was so insightful. Veganism shouldn’t be a thing. Veganism should be so common that it goes unlabeled. It should be the default. People who support cruelty should have a label, not vegans.

Bruuh I love your content it’s a serious shame how the channel doesn’t get as much attention as it should. More people would be vegan

Honestly I just wear my animal products out. I have a few wool pullovers and a leather bag. Somehow I think throwing these things away is even worse than buying them in the first place. But donating them is always an option.

I went vegan almost a year ago. Still using the leather couches I purchased. If I was rich I would replace everything in my home that isn't vegan. I'm very happy just to wear out everything and slowly replace it. The food however I gave away.

Ed can we please have a video of you introducing us to all ur plants 🪴🥺👉🏼👈🏼 and what their names are?

Rather than throwing away the leather item, or any old animal products, if you don't want to wear them our or give them away you could treat them the way you would if they were made of unwilling human skins: bury them with respect!

The dislikes are from trolls who follow vegan channels, and don't watch the content. They're too scared of what they will learn. Another brilliant video Ed, bless you darling 💖💚🌱🌍

Thank you for providing a view that’s different than the norm in a way that is compassionate and that I can relate to.

I think you could say cell cultured meat is necessary for obligate carnivores such as cats. If someone adopts a cat, that would be a great alternative for them.