It’s okay to do something solely for your own benefit.
I ate a plant-based diet for a while, 10 months to be exact. I was trying to convince myself and others that it was helping me recover from my eating disorder more than hindering me. Whereas veganism is amazing and I’m regretful to change my diet because of the positive impact I was making towards animals and the environment, I need to do what’s best for my mental health before I can put such restrictions on my eating habits.
For me veganism turned into an excuse to deeply analyse packaging on food, which later turned into me redownloading myfitnesspal and my obsessive dieting starting to ruin my life all over again. Where I am in my life right now, I cannot maintain a vegan diet healthfully. There is no doubt that it is something I want to do when I’m mentally ready, but now is not that time.
Whilst I am definitely not knocking veganism (it was a brilliant way to enjoy new alternatives!) I am not currently mentally well enough to restrict myself.
I hope I’m not letting anyone down - I’ll still be buying alternatives where I can, but right now I need a lifestyle with no restrictions.