Why Most Vegan Journeys Fail and How to Set Yourself Up for Success

When I first started leaning into veganism, I thought it was all about what I put on my plate. Swap the chicken for chickpeas, trade the milk for oat milk, grab some veggie burgers and—bam—I’m vegan, right?

Not quite.

Here’s the truth no one really talks about: going vegan isn’t just about food. It’s about mindset. The way you think about your “why,” your traditions, and even your grocery shopping is what sets you up for long-term success.

If you don’t get your head in the right place, the first time someone waves grandma’s mac and cheese in your face or you feel lost in the dairy aisle, you’ll be tempted to give up.

So let’s talk about the mindset shifts that make the biggest difference—because when you get this part right, the rest becomes so much easier.

1. Anchor Into Your Why (So You Don’t Waver)

There will be days when cravings hit hard. There will be moments when someone makes a snide comment and you want to crawl back into “blending in.” That’s when your why matters most.

Ask yourself:

Are you doing this for your kids’ health?
For your own well-being?
For the animals, or the planet?

Write it down. Stick it on the fridge. Put it in your phone notes. When you’re tired or tempted, reconnecting with your why will keep you steady. So really do it. Like, right now.

2. Reframe Grocery Shopping as Discovery (Not Limitation)

Walking through the grocery store as a new vegan can feel overwhelming. Your brain is wired to look for the foods you used to buy, and when they don’t “fit” anymore, it can feel like a loss.

Here’s the mindset shift: think of it as an adventure.

Try one new plant-based product a week.
Visit aisles you usually skip (hello, international foods section).
Celebrate the swaps that become new family favorites.

When you shop with curiosity instead of fear, you’ll see abundance instead of deprivation.

3. Traditions Can Change Without Losing Meaning

One of the biggest hurdles for moms is the thought of breaking family traditions. Maybe it’s Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas cookies with butter, or birthday cakes with eggs.

Here’s the mindset shift: traditions aren’t the food, they’re the feelings. The laughter around the table, the togetherness, the memories—that’s what matters.

So yes, your recipes may change. But you’re not losing the tradition. You’re creating a new one, rooted in the same love, just with kinder ingredients.

4. Be Okay With “Different” (Not Everyone Will Get It)

Here’s the part no one tells you: you will feel different. And that’s okay.

People may roll their eyes. Kids might get questions at school. Family might not understand at first.

But being different isn’t something to hide from. It’s something to own. Different is where change begins. Different is powerful.

The mindset shift is moving from “I don’t fit in” to “I’m proud to stand out.”

5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

You don’t have to get it “all right” from day one. Maybe you eat vegan at home but still navigating eating out. Maybe you slip up at a holiday party. That’s not failure—that’s learning.

The mindset shift is this: every plant-based meal is a win. Every time you choose compassion, you’re moving in the right direction. Progress always trumps perfection.

Wrap-Up: Mindset First, Success Follows

Going vegan is not about memorizing ingredients or finding the perfect cheese alternative. It’s about how you think. When your head and heart are in the right place—anchored in your why, open to discovery, ready to reshape traditions—you set yourself up for success.

And here’s the best part: you’re not just changing your diet. You’re modeling resilience, values, and courage for your kids. That’s the kind of mindset shift that lasts a lifetime.