SORRY, NOT SORRY - I AM VEGAN
A RESUMED PERSONAL JOURNEY
Something a little different this week. While Madame Planta usually explores themes of plant intelligence, eco-consciousness, and the intersection of nature and art, today I want to share something more personal. My vegan journey has not only shaped my ethics and daily choices but has also deeply influenced my artistic practice. The materials I use in my performance art pieces, the way I approach embodiment, and the narratives I construct have all evolved as a result of my commitment to a cruelty-free life. My journey into veganism has been shaped by decades of questioning, resistance, and persistence. It’s a story deeply tied to my ethics, my growth, and my vision for a cruelty-free world. And so, let’s go back in time to where it all began.
The 90s: A Lone Decision in a Meat-Centric Environment
The early 90s. Lisbon suburbs (aka Margem Sul). A teenager—me—decided that eating meat was not an option anymore. It’s important to note that back then, and specially in Portugal, veganism wasn’t a word in people’s vocabulary. There were no health stores, no organic sections in supermarkets, no online communities, no influencers advocating for plant-based diets. There was nothing. No cultural references, no mainstream discussions, no accessible information. Ok, there was some macrobiotic diet references since the 70's, but no one was doing that in Margem Sul, no way.
This was not a trend. It was an isolated decision, born out of an inner conviction that animals should not be food, should not be my food, should not suffer to feed me. It was my personal decision.
I was 12. I made my case to my mother, but it was an uphill battle. "No one in this house is going to cook for you," she said. And this wasn’t even her house—it was my grandmother’s. I wasn’t living with my mother since... maybe never, but that’s another story.
My mother gave me one condition: I could not stop eating meat until we had a doctor’s approval. So, I did my research. I spent hours at the local library, studying alternative diets, understanding nutrition, gathering evidence. It was hard, there wasn’t many books about the subject. I manage to built my case like a young lawyer defending her most important client—herself. Eventually, we went to a doctor who, unsurprisingly, was skeptical. But in the end, they agreed—on one condition. I had to keep eating fish, eggs, and cheese. It wasn’t the full vegetarian life I wanted, but it was a start. And so, I began cooking macrobiotic meals for my family, proving that I could thrive on my terms. And so my long and winding journey began.
The Relentless Commentary
If you think being vegan today still attracts unwarranted opinions, imagine being a teenage vegetarian in 90s deep Portugal. Every family gathering turned into a debate about my choices. Every birthday party included jokes at my expense. School was no different—peers ridiculed me, adults questioned me, strangers felt entitled to comment on my plate. The irony? I never once imposed my beliefs on them. I never questioned their decision to eat meat. Yet, everyone felt entitled to question mine (still do).
Despite the imposed limitations, I never wavered. But I was deprived of being fully vegetarian. It was a narrow path between my personal truth and the concessions I was forced to make. I complied with restrictions that weren’t mine, but deep down, I knew that one day I would reclaim my own decisions.
The Evolution: From Vegetarian to Vegan
Many, many years passed. I became more aware—not just of food, but of the broader concept of cruelty-free living. I started applying these principles to my home, my daily routines and specially into my artistic expression. I finally stopped eating fish and seafood, I stopped all beauty and hygiene products that test on animals (including all detergents, etc.), later I stopped eggs and honey. And finally, I can say I am cheese and all dairy free and proudly VEGAN!
Step by step, I aligned my actions with my ethics. Today, I use no animal-derived products. I strive to be as humanely equitable as possible. Cruelty-free living isn’t just a diet for me—it’s a daily and heartily commitment. This philosophy has also influenced my artistic expression, leading me to reconsider the materials I use in my performances. I strive to create art that aligns with my ethical stance, avoiding any form of exploitation.
Of course, perfection doesn’t exist. Every day, a new piece of news emerges about some product contributing to animal or human exploitation. So, I hope for a better, more conscientious future and continue to do my best. I reduce my consumption of anything that causes harm to other beings. I shop vintage, second-hand clothes and shoes but I still own leather goods from my past life. I won’t buy replacements. I try to live consciously, but I don’t pretend to be flawless. I do every day lots of bad choices, and I do every day lots of what I think are better and more conscientious choices. I especially question myself every day, surrounded by other sentient beings, hoping for a cruelty-free future.
2025: A Different Era, Same Struggles
Fast forward more than 30 years. We are not just in another decade—we are in another century. The world has changed in unimaginable ways. Veganism is no longer a lonely struggle; it’s a widely recognized lifestyle—or so we think! There are plant-based restaurants, vegan sections in supermarkets, and endless resources online. It’s mainstream. It’s accessible. And you know what? It's even fashionable! Yes meat eaters, you heard it right—it's even fashionable!
And yet... here we are. XXI century, 2025, fashionable Europe, and old me faces the same, same old questions.
Here is the thing. I have been invited to a bachelorette party in the center of a luxurious European city, to celebrate my dearest friend. I am thrilled at the idea of being there, to honor her, to share in her joy. But then I check the menu and what do we have? Meat, cheese and more meat. Sure, I can go by without eating for a party, no problem. But will you? So should I?
The world has evolved, but somehow, my struggles remains the same…
I have one more thing to say: Sorry NOT SORRY I am proudly VEGAN!!!
Veganism & Madame Planta
So, this invitation got me thinking. While I question myself about this week's article and its relevance to Madame Planta, I realize that my journey into veganism has shaped not just my daily choices but also my artistic expression.
This journey has not been about food—it has been about questioning, learning, and expanding awareness beyond the plate. That’s exactly what I explore through Madame Planta, my blog and creative space. Madame Planta is not about veganism, but about reconnecting with nature, listening to the wisdom of plants, and understanding the deeper ecological and ethical implications of our choices.
Through Madame Planta, I share stories, research, and reflections on plant intelligence, eco-consciousness, and ethical living. Whether through articles about sound, the intersection of art and environmentalism, or deep dives into plant-based philosophy, my writing is an extension of this lifelong journey. It’s not about preaching—it’s about offering perspectives, inviting discussion, and nurturing awareness in a world that still struggles to align its values with its actions.
I have one more thing to say: I AM NOT SORRY! I AM PROUDLY VEGAN! WHY THE PURÉE ARE YOU NOT? ooooh ups pardon my French ;)
PS: And please meat eaters do not ask me where my vitamins B’s come from unless you know where yours come from, and if you don't know, I can assure you it's not a pretty image.
PPS: Maybe next week I will delve into my non-vegan performance art works, the why's and do nots of working with non-cruelty-free elements. Let me know if this is something that will interest you.