This article is part of my FAQs series.
For well over a decade, I have been answering anonymously submitted questions on my Tumblr blog. Over that time, I have noticed many recurring themes, concerns, and misunderstandings.
This series brings together concise, practical responses to the questions I am asked most often, based on real conversations with people at every stage of thinking about veganism.
If you’d like to see more entries in this series, you can find them here.
The Short Answer
You do not need to throw away everything you owned before going vegan.
Use up or wear out what you already have if replacing it immediately is unrealistic, and commit to choosing vegan alternatives moving forward. Focus on reducing future harm rather than punishing yourself for past purchases. Sustainable change matters more than ideological perfection.
The Detail
Almost No One Starts With a “Clean Slate”
Most of us were not born vegan. When you decide to go vegan, you are usually surrounded by animal products that you bought before you made that decision, including food, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and household items. This is completely normal.
Becoming vegan is not about pretending you were never not vegan and erasing any evidence of your prior animal product purchases, it is about commiting to changing your behaviour from now on.
What to Do About Food
When it comes to food, it is usually helpful to stop consuming animal products as early as possible. This is mainly for practical reasons, not moral ones. Continuing to eat meat, dairy, and eggs tends to:
- Prolong cravings
- Make the transition harder
- Keep old habits emotionally alive
The sooner you move on to vegan alternatives, the easier it usually becomes. That said, food does not have to be wasted. If possible, you can:
- Give unopened items to friends or family
- Donate to a food bank or shelter
- Share with someone who will use it
Some people choose to finish what they have. That is understandable. But for many new vegans, this can become a reason to delay change. “Just one more week” easily turns into months. If you feel ready, starting immediately often makes the transition smoother.
Clothing and Accessories: Be Practical, Not Punitive
Clothing, shoes, and accessories are more complicated. Items made from lanimal fabrics are often expensive, and items like coats and boots are a significant investment. Many people simply cannot afford to replace everything at once. If that is your situation, it is perfectly okay to keep using what you already own. That is what I did, too.
Keep in mind that the harm occurred when the item was bought, continuing to wear it does not create new demand. What matters ethically is:
- Not buying new animal-based items
- Choosing vegan alternatives in future
Using existing items until they wear out, then replacing them with vegan ones, is a reasonable and responsible approach. This is not hypocrisy, it is just a commonsense approach that most vegans will have no problem with..
If and when you get rid of your non-vegan clothing, make sure that you donate it rather than throwing it away.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Cosmetics, brushes, skincare, and toiletries raise similar issues. If you already own expensive non-vegan products and cannot afford to replace them, you are not doing anything wrong by finishing them and switching later. You can:
- Use them up
- Give them to friends
- Replace them gradually
Many everyday products are vegan without people realising it, so it is worth checking before assuming you need to replace everything. Likewise, if you have an issue like painful blemishes and can’t immediately find a vegan alternative for the produce that helps you with this, don’t beat yourself up if you need to re-purchase the product you know, just while you find a vegan version.
Focus on making better choices over time, not achieving instant purity.
Small Items and Gradual Replacement
Some products are easy to replace quickly, such as:
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Cleaning products
Others take longer. Go at a pace that is financially and emotionally sustainable. Veganism should improve your life, not create constant stress and guilt. Replacing items slowly as they run out is often the most realistic approach.
Dealing With Accusations of “Hypocrisy”
Some people may point out that you still own leather shoes or non-vegan makeup and accuse you of inconsistency. I am not sure why this is, but people seem to love trying to find and point out examples of vegans being hypocritcal. If this happens, remember:
- You did not buy these items as a vegan
- You are not creating new demand
- You are actively changing your habits
Ethical growth is a process, and expecting people to instantly erase years of consumption is unreasonable. Most people making this criticism do not hold themselves to similar standards in other areas of life. Remember, you do not need to justify your commitment to anyone. This is your journey, so go at your own pace.
Focus on Direction, Not Guilt
Veganism is about reducing harm where reasonably possible. It is not about:
- Self-punishment
- Public displays of moral purity
- Erasing your past
What matters is the direction you are moving in. If you are choosing vegan products, learning, improving, and staying committed, then you are doing enough. Who cares if you haven’t been able to replace that pair of leather boots yet? This is a marathon not a sprint, so take your time and be gentle with yourself.
Suggested Reading
- Ed Winters – How to Go (and Stay) Vegan. A very positive, grounded guide to going vegan, which deals with some of these same issues.
- Colleen Patrick-Goudreau – The Joyful Vegan: How to Stay Vegan in a World That Wants You to Eat Meat, Dairy, and Eggs. An uplifting exploration of the emotional side of veganism, presenting a positive and joyful case for being vegan.
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