Entering a New Phase

Hello, Permies folks! I've been much more active recently because I'm transitioning out of a 9-to-5, non-profit teaching job into sustainable permaculture ideas, culture, and lifestyle. I wanted to document a bit here at what I see as the starting point of my journey: gradually-but-steadily closing doors behind me and moving forward towards new horizons. I am doing my darnedest to keep this short and simple.

Apologies in advance if this seems too strange for anyone.

BEGINNINGS
I began sometime in my late 20s with romantic notions of living in an off-grid cabin and doing what I thought at the time as "getting away from it all." Whatever "it" was. :) It had something to do with being a mountain man, or something.

I turn 45 this coming Friday. I like to think that I've learned a bit since then. I began connecting to Permies after learning about Wheaton Labs through Kickstarter campaigns. After the first (and I can't even remember which one it was, at this point), I was hooked. Whenever a new campaign started, I threw money at it. Thoughts and visions began to percolate about finally realizing a -realistic- version of my youthful dreams.

TRANSITION
I finally resolved to take a sabbatical from my day job, scheduled for Spring of 2020. I reserved a place to stay at Wheaton Labs for an entire month, and I hoped to absorb as much as I could while there. Well, as we all know A Lot Of Things Happened around that time. I was forced to "postpone" my sabbatical and the folks at Wheaton Labs were gracious enough to honor my reservation and let me set up my visit for another time.

In late 2021, I grew too tired of waiting. I announced a resignation from my job to the leadership team that autumn, and my last day on the job will be - appropriately enough - April Fool's Day, 2022.

NOW
Since that resignation announcement, I have done better at participating in these forums and learning what I can. I hope to be at Wheaton Labs as a SEPPer for a month, and ideally as a Boot if me being there is a good fit for everyone. I'm fascinated by every browse and skim through the forums, and impressed with every podcast I listen to.

LATER
Ideally, I would feel my time at Wheaton Labs is successful if I'm able to attend - either as a guest or a Boot at three major events (three's the magic number), and have a PDC under my belt as part of that. Beyond that, I'm seeking a sustainable operation to contribute to in cooler climates. I'm still able-bodied (with a few scars here and there) and am willing to work. I am no stranger to physical labor, organic gardening and animal care. However I am also very interested in becoming an instructor/facilitator, teacher, or curriculum developer of some kind to spread the word about permaculture and regenerative, sustainable practices. I've learned I am a very effective teacher once I learn the material, and I see this as a significant strength of mine that I think can provide a tremendous positive impact in any related efforts.

I care about what I want to do, and where I want to go. This photo is me now, at the place where I live now. I wonder where I will be and what I will look like when my "LATER" section is considered complete.

Thank you for reading. :)

Best wishes for a fulfilling and exciting future! May the road rise up to meet you, and may you learn and teach with an infectious enthusiasm that will build great things in many people's lives! Have fun and enjoy every minute.

Hi Stephen,

I like to see your enthusiasm. It might help your goals to do some PEP badges. The SKIP event in July at WL will allow anyone who's obtained BB40 (forty badges) to attend as an instructor, without having to pay. See link: https://permies.com/t/172218/Seeking-assitant-facilitators-instructors-SKIP

Info about PEP/SKIP: https://permies.com/wiki/skip-pep-bb

Malek Beitinjan wrote:It might help your goals to do some PEP badges. The SKIP event in July at WL will allow anyone who's obtained BB40 (forty badges) to attend as an instructor, without having to pay.

BB40 also seems to be a metric currently bandied about as a point of entry for the ant village, which could also be compatible with my personal goals.

At this point, my personal structure revolves around the day job and making sure things are 'squared away' at that office prior to my departure. I've not prioritized documenting any badge bits, though based on what I've skimmed here and there, it's likely I have what it takes to tackle that many. At the very least, these are measurable, tangible ways to show my worth to others and any potential community I might want to join. Thanks for the suggestion. :)

After driving over 2,000 miles, I made it to Wheaton Labs. Currently luxuriating as a SEPPer in the Love Shack.

Learned more about BBs and actually dirtied my hands along with a few of the Boots today. I'm acclimating myself to the climate by taking walks in the late afternoon/evening so by the time my SEPPer stay ends, I might be in good enough shape for booting as well.

It might not sound like it, but I'm tremendously excited. :)