[CW: Mention of Animal Cruelty]
Knowing what happens to innocent animals en masse every single day is really freakishly upsetting to me. Does anyone else who relates to this feeling have a way to feel better about it?
I was browsing content on a vegan activist's Instagram page two nights ago, and I should've been more cautious because one of her reels showed a cow...
Well, I'm not gonna finish typing what happened to the cow because it hurts me to acknowledge it so directly, but you get what I mean.
I felt so fucked up watching the clip that night to a point where I literally sobbed and cried myself to sleep. I was feeling like I wanted zero association with omnivores anymore, but because that's not feasible, I'll try to keep it together.
What helps you navigate these feelings?
Yeah it's horrifying. We are fighting against massive societal currents for even the smallest amount of progress, and the fact that most people don't even see the issue makes it that much worse.
Kind of like being a communist.
Personally, I just limit my exposure to shit that triggers that response in me. We might not be able to save the Omelas kid, but we can walk away and try to convince others of what is happening. Pace yourself and pick your battles. Activist videos like Dominions and Earthlings are tools we use against carnism - you don't need to expose yourself to that stuff if you're already against it.
I hear going to animal sanctuaries can be real good vegan self-care.
I basically came to say roughly what @Babs@hexbear.net here is saying. Burnout is a real thing, and you gotta limit your exposure. It's really great that you care, but you suffering is not somehow going to make things better faster.
I second the idea of going to sanctuaries. Also the lib vegan groups in my city keep my sane, at least there's heaps of other people who think like me.
Finally, I just don't watch any more slaughterhouse videos. Like I'm fully vegan and on board with not hurting them. I don't see anything positive with me rewatching Dominion or Earthlings.