Speaking from experience, I really resented all the “toxic vegans” I experienced while I was becoming vegan, but looking back I’m quite thankful for them. The reason they seemed so toxic was because they kept highlighting my own moral inconsistencies. This raised cognitive dissonance which felt like a personal attack. It’s an unpleasant experience.
Of course there were also a lot of “good vegans” I’m thankful of as well who would patiently answer any of my questions, and this is the approach I try and take myself (although sometimes I don’t succeed, I’m sure).
Speaking from experience, I really resented all the “toxic vegans” I experienced while I was becoming vegan, but looking back I’m quite thankful for them. The reason they seemed so toxic was because they kept highlighting my own moral inconsistencies. This raised cognitive dissonance which felt like a personal attack. It’s an unpleasant experience.
Of course there were also a lot of “good vegans” I’m thankful of as well who would patiently answer any of my questions, and this is the approach I try and take myself (although sometimes I don’t succeed, I’m sure).