Embracing the 'Vegan But Bacon' Mindset: A Path Away from Perfectionism

In a world obsessed with discipline and flawless execution, many of us abandon our New Year's resolutions before the year is even halfway through. We often fall into the trap of "all-or-nothing" thinking, where the slightest slip-up leads to complete abandonment of our goals. However, a viral trend originating from TikTok in early 2026, known as the "vegan but bacon" mindset, offers a refreshing alternative: the pursuit of progress over perfection.

The Origin of a Viral Concept

The term gained massive traction after content creator TrailMixLiz posted a viral image captioned, "I'd go vegan but bacon." The concept is inherently paradoxical—combining a plant-based lifestyle with the indulgence of a "cheat food." This viral moment, which garnered over 380,000 likes, highlights a shift in perspective: making partial lifestyle changes is significantly more effective than making no changes at all. Whether it is "vegan but cheese" or designating a specific "cheat day of the week," the core message remains the same: flexibility makes sustainability possible.

Applying the Mindset Beyond Diet

Canadian TikToker Addie the Optimist expanded this philosophy beyond nutrition, suggesting it can be applied to any aspect of life. She argues that we shouldn't be "imprisoned by our own rules." For example, if you are too tired to give a full 100% effort at the gym, the "vegan but bacon" approach encourages you to "go to the gym and get 50%."

This perspective resonates deeply because it validates the reality of human limitation. As viewers noted in the comments, "Sometimes, washing most of the dishes is washing enough," and "Half-assing is the stepping stone to whole-assing." This philosophy redefines success: if you only have 10% to give and you give that 10%, you have effectively given 100% of your current capacity.

The Dangers of Perfectionism and Procrastination

Society often prioritizes "perfection, performance and discipline," but this fixation frequently backfires. When we believe we cannot achieve perfection, we are often inclined to "not even try." This leads to a cycle of procrastination—the act of "unnecessarily putting something off until the last minute."

Scientific evidence supports the idea that rigid standards hinder progress. A 2017 study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that individuals with "perfectionistic concerns" were more likely to feel a "subjective sense of falling short of one's own standards," which directly correlates with higher rates of procrastination. By demanding perfection, we essentially paralyze ourselves.

Conclusion: Kindness as a Strategy

The "vegan but bacon" outlook is fundamentally about being "a bit kinder to yourself." It encourages us to take things at our own pace and recognize that "small steps still count." By rejecting the binary of success versus failure, we can adopt more realistic targets. Ultimately, "good enough is often better than nothing at all," providing a sustainable framework for achieving our goals without the weight of unrealistic expectations.