07/25/2024
Vegan Restaurant Week Update
Hey all, I hate doing this, but I will not be organizing COS Vegan Restaurant Week any longer. I have struggled with this decision for so long, but ultimatey feel like this is a necessity. There's a few reasons, which I'll include below, as well as an invitation to organize the event for anyone who is interested.
This is such a fun event, and I'm pretty lucky to have experienced the enthusiasm for it as a diner, chef, and organizer. Thank you for sharing that experience with me, and for all of your support.
π€π»π€
-Relationships
I only ever want to bring value to relationships. If I contribute negatively or devalue another in any way, then something has to change. The only negative feedback I've ever heard about Vegan Restaurant Week, is that it hurts the few all vegan restaurants we have here, and is just a money grab for the participating omni establishments. I don't know if that's true or not, but if people genuinely feel that way, then I don't want any part of it.
Our all vegan restaurants, while sometimes a point of contention, are where we gather. It's where we meet each other for the first time, celebrate small victories, weddings, birthdays, experience a sense of belonging, build roots, and deepen our connections. We have to take care of our facilitators, and I can't be a good steward of my values if I knowingly organize an event that disrupts any of those shared experiences.
-Staff
We've built a deep culture of trust and communication, and I've recognized the level of intention and attention that has required. As we've grown in both the community and our staff, the more attention The Joint needs in order to maintain and continue to deepen that culture.
I owe it to this amazing staff to show up for them the way they do for me every single day.
-Expectations
I've spent my entire life focused on meeting expectations. I've recently realized that they were mostly self imposed. Regardless, I'm tired π But, I'm also really relieved because that means that I can say no to things, I can prioritize myself without fear of judgment or failure, and that it's actually necessary in order for me to be a happy, supportive, consistent, and ultimately successful human.
I didn't ask anyone to take this event on and donate their time, because I didn't want to imply any sort of expectation. So, this is a no-pressure open invitation to you all. If this is an event that adds value to the community, then I trust that the community will take it from here.
Aaron