Just for V-Mail subscribers, Angela Crawford, Ph.D has adapted an excerpt from her brand new book,  The Vegan Transformation: A Journey to Heal Yourself and the World, Lantern Publishing & Media, 2025.

One of the most important – but often overlooked – aspects of thriving with a vegan lifestyle is having a strong support network. Research suggests that social challenges are among the most common reasons for straying from a plant-based lifestyle.^[i] Having a social network with other vegans appears to strengthen commitment and adherence.^[ii]

To experience the transformation that is possible with a vegan lifestyle, we can’t do it alone. We need others we can talk to, to share our hopes, dreams, and challenges. These supportive relationships inspire and uplift us. They give us hope and strengthen our commitment during challenging times.

Learning to build supportive connections with other vegans, as well as with non-vegan friends and family, is important for thriving with your plant-powered lifestyle. Below are five tips for building greater social fulfillment and connection:

1. Join vegan networks or groups. Whether online or in person, it’s important to create vegan friendships where you feel supported, nurtured, and inspired. These networks provide a safe space to share feelings and receive support. It isn’t the size of network that is most important; even a few vegan friends can make a huge difference.
2. Be okay with being different. This is a big one—because for many of us, it isn’t easy to go against the status quo. We are biologically wired to want to fit in and avoid social rejection. It’s important to remember your reasons for choosing a vegan lifestyle so that you can hold your beliefs in the face of social pressures. This will empower you to speak up and honor your values with courage and integrity.
3. Learn to speak up assertively and effectively. Thriving vegans develop the ability to express their feelings, needs, and perspectives in ways that create heart-felt dialogue. Unfortunately, many of us lack the ability to skillfully navigate differences, and this leads to unresolved conflicts and emotional cut-offs. Healthy communication skills can help to set boundaries around which situations you are willing (or not willing) to be part of and explore new ways to connect with those you love, including replacing old traditions that center around animal foods.^[iii]
4. Create vegan allies. Even when your loved ones are not willing to go plant-based, you can request their support for your journey. In her book Beyond Beliefs, Dr. Melanie Joy emphasizes the value of cultivating vegan “allies” who understand and support our vegan choice. These are people who, although not necessarily vegan themselves, do not undermine our choice to be vegan, and advocate for us when we need support.^[iv]
5. Planting seeds for positive change. Focus on being a positive role model who embodies the compassion and well-being you wish to inspire in others. Pressuring or criticizing others rarely works to create personal or social transformation. At the same time, you can plant seeds that will help others, never knowing when those seeds may take root. As you embody a healthy, fulfilling, plant-powered lifestyle, you never know who you may inspire, and what transformations may unfold.