Some people become vegan overnight. Some people have been vegan for years. But what about those of us who want to explore being a vegan, but who currently live a definitively non-vegan life? How can we start? What should we expect? How can we learn more? Why do people do it? How do we make it a practical life choice?

I am a new writer to DC Vegan, and my posts will cover my experiences answering those questions, and more.

The idea of being a vegan seems a bit overwhelming. Sure, I WANT to do it — but it seems that every time I turn around, I think of another change that I need to make. So rather than try to do everything at once, I am focusing on five things. I know that they do not cover everything, but I am hoping that they will be a good start. Changing my life will take some time, some patience, and a healthy dose of reaching outside my comfort zone.

1. Become a vegetarian.
The first step on this journey is to follow a vegetarian diet. I am not eating meat, chicken or fish at all. My body adjusted quickly, and I have found alternative protein sources to complement an otherwise plant-based diet. The trick for me is not to be a lazy vegetarian, which equals too many starches and other sugars, and not enough fiber, protein and fat.

2. Establish a support network.
No one in my direct life is a vegetarian, nevertheless a vegan. I need to establish connections with people who eat and live this way, and who enjoy all of the benefits of doing so. Just as with any new endeavor, I can learn so much from other people, and I want to become a part of both online and live communities that are supportive of this lifestyle.

3. Seek out recipes.
I need to increase my knowledge base when it comes to food preparation. I have dozens of cookbooks, but only two that focus on vegetarian dishes. I need to start compiling ideas, resources and tips, and then adjust my pantry and my shopping lists accordingly. I want to continue to make flavorful and healthy meals, which will require some conscious changes to my cooking and baking habits.

4. Research the reasons.
I have three main reasons for changing my life: (1) my health; (2) animal rights; and (3) the environment. I want to become much more knowledgeable about each of these areas so that I can speak to them with intelligence and grace. I suspect that this knowledge will also help to remind me why I am making these changes, which will help me to avoid feeling frustrated.

5. Embrace expected challenges.
I expect that my two biggest challenges will be removing dairy from my diet and making any needed social adjustments. From cereal to baking to pizza, I admittedly consume dairy on a daily basis. I need to look at each dairy product in my life and find alternatives. The social adjustments will be interesting to experience. It is much easier to tell people that you have been a vegan for years — the decisions are final and long-established — than it is to tell people that you are exploring this lifestyle. My husband and friends are extraordinarily supportive of everything that I do, so I do not expect to be met with direct resistance…but I do expect that I will have to make adjustments.

Here’s to the journey!