Shifting within: creating change inside a corrupt system without losing ourselves

The author grapples with the inherent contradiction of working within harmful systems that fund essential needs. They dream of a future focused on human and planetary flourishing, acknowledging designers' current reality within a profit-driven capitalist framework. Designers often balance the need to earn a living with the moral imperative to create fundamentally different systems. This tension between working "within" and striving for "beyond" shapes daily decisions and raises questions about complicity. To navigate this, the author proposes three strategies for shifting within the current system. Firstly, practicing harm reduction involves minimizing damage through immediate interventions and asking critical questions about who benefits and who is harmed by design. Design Justice principles emphasize rejecting neutrality and acknowledging the power dynamics at play. Secondly, building movements, like those seen historically and within design, challenges existing systems and fights for equality and justice. This strategy focuses on collective progress and healing rather than clinging to identities. Finally, the author advocates for rest as a form of resistance against exploitative hustle culture. This act of reclaiming worth and unlearning harmful norms is crucial for sustained effort. The concept of the "Adjacent Possible" bridges the present and future, representing immediate next steps toward transformation. By practicing harm reduction, building movements, and embracing rest, individuals can "feed their vision" while surviving within difficult systems. This dual approach allows for both immediate action and the gradual creation of a better future.