-

You can usually find books on witchcraft, yes, but there’s also field guides on local foraging and wildlife, cookbooks, books that teach you how to craft and DIY, books about environmental protection and stewardship, books on how to use herbs medicinally, books about other religions, cultures, and spiritual practices. My favorite local library even has a seed swapping program and fantastic resources to research your own family history!

Hélène Cixous, from The Book of Promethea

I don't live in a walkable city.

I live in a mid-sized Texas town that only realizes that there are people who don't drive when TXDoT gives them money for active transportation infrastructure.

People constantly tell me that you just cannot walk or ride a bike in this city. It's impossible!

I do it anyway, because I firmly believe that solarpunk is a useless aesthetic if you aren't living it as best you can. We don't need technology to solve our problems we need will.

Also I do volunteer work on the political side of the local animal shelter and so I find myself at city hall several times a year and there's no bike rack.

Or rather there wasn't a bike rack.

I complained to someone, politely, informing them that I am doing this volunteer work and I don't have any safe place to lock my bike and that locking it to a handrail is inconvenient for everyone and also hideous.

A few months later a single staple-style bike rack was installed at city hall. It's not much, but I got sent a photo of someone else who got to use it before I did, clearly there was a need, if small.

Then I turned my gaze to the local grocery store, which had a bike rack, but the bike rack was terrible. It was too short for modern tire sizes, it was placed too close to the wall so one side was useless, and it was generally pretty cramped.

It took some time, but an advocate friend told me to contact the property owner instead of banging my head against the wall contacting HEB itself, and so I sent another polite complaint with a photo, explaining why it wasn't a very good bike rack and it would be really cool if we had a different one with better placement.

And about two months later, we have new staple-style racks at the grocery store, properly placed for maximum parking.

It's not a new bike lane. It's not a removal of parking minimums. It's not infill development or an active transportation advisory board.

They're just bike racks.

But that's the beauty of it. I, a person with an email address, some basic "how to be firm but polite while making an argument" skills, and a willingness to work out who to contact, fixed two problems for the local community. Trust me, I have had people wait on me to unlock my bike so they could have the "good spot." I was not the only person annoyed at the old rack.

It can be done. You're not powerless. Solarpunk doesn't have to be a wishful aesthetic.

Technology will not save us.

this is something i’ve been slowly working on for a while. not a “change your whole life in one week” thing, more like collecting habits that actually make everyday life feel easier

i’m still building these myself so this list is kind of for me too. they’re small changes but they genuinely affect your mood, focus, and energy more than people realize

start your morning with a small ritual not a complicated routine. just something intentional before the chaos starts. making your bed, opening the curtains, drinking water before caffeine, washing your face, stepping outside for fresh air. these tiny actions give your brain a sense of control and calm before everything else begins

avoid grabbing your phone instantly the first thing your brain sees shouldn’t be notifications or random internet content. even five minutes without your phone helps your brain wake up naturally instead of jumping straight into stimulation and comparison

let sunlight hit your eyes early this sounds small but morning light helps regulate your body clock and energy levels. standing near a window or walking outside for a few minutes can actually help you feel more awake during the day and sleep better later

lower stress before it builds up stress isn’t only dangerous when it’s extreme. constant low level stress adds up and affects your body over time. regular movement, proper sleep, balanced meals, and taking small breaks throughout the day help prevent that build up

move your body daily even if it’s simple you don’t always need a full workout. walking, stretching, cleaning your space, dancing to music, or even standing up after long periods of sitting helps your circulation and mental clarity

support your gut health your gut microbiome plays a big role in mood and immunity. foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and fiber rich foods support digestion and help your body absorb nutrients better

eat meals that stabilize energy when meals are mostly sugar and caffeine your energy spikes and crashes quickly. adding protein, healthy fats, and whole foods helps keep your brain focused longer and prevents those sudden tired moments

drink water before caffeine many people wake up dehydrated which can cause headaches, low focus, and fatigue. drinking water first helps your body wake up more naturally before adding coffee or energy drinks

listen to music intentionally music affects your brain chemistry more than we realize. calming music can reduce anxiety while energetic music can boost motivation and productivity. your brain responds strongly to rhythm and sound

protect quiet moments constant stimulation from videos, scrolling, and background noise can make your brain feel tired. giving yourself moments of quiet during the day helps your mind reset and process information

prioritize sleep consistency sleeping at roughly the same time every night helps regulate your body clock. your mood, focus, skin, and energy all benefit from stable sleep patterns

have something in your day that is only for you not productive, not work related, just something you enjoy. reading, gaming, journaling, skincare, walking, music, anything that gives your brain a break

try new foods and flavors exploring different foods and spices isn’t just fun. ingredients like turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and chili contain compounds that support metabolism and reduce inflammation

balance productivity with recovery people often focus on doing more but forget that recovery helps you perform better later. resting properly, taking breaks, and slowing down occasionally keeps your brain sharper long term

again none of this is about perfection. these are just small habits that slowly build a lifestyle where your mind and body feel supported instead of constantly overwhelmed

i’m still working on many of these myself but they genuinely make everyday life feel calmer and more stable ♡