Hi all!
Long time lurker here on slrpnk.net and just signed up to participate more. I have myself been moving on a fairly slow but steady trajectory towards a life aligned with solarpunk values (although not with zeal or even the knowledge of solarpunk for most of this time). I still have a good distance to go, but I also have some concrete ideas in mind going forward.
So I thought I’d make this post where people could share their stories to inspire each other to take bolder steps: what steps have you so far taken and what do you plan to do going forward to live more true to a real solarpunk? What turned you onto these ideals in the first place? If not all ideals speak to you, which do and why? etc. etc. Anything goes!
I’ll post my story in a separate comment.
You have followed much of my own trajectory: highly educated -> higher income from somewhat dull, time-consuming job -> unfulfilling high consumption -> minimalism + FIRE + solar punk + secular Buddhist philosophy.
This final phase has been ongoing for five years and solar punk is the least certain part. I’m hoping it becomes a movement where I can find community with likeminded people who don’t self-define by their consumption and want to live simply but well.
Congrats on sticking with the renewable field. I was there briefly but became disillusioned with the financing side.
We’ll see how long I can keep with it. For now we are not even profitable, and still have some way to go there, so it’s all uncertain. Very different vibe in general since the market inflation during COVID vs. now as well in terms of optimism and sense of purpose (much easier to get carried away before). Now it is easier to get hung up on all the internal bullshit and wastefulness.
My brief foray was during COVID and the froth was evident. I hope it works out for you.