Downshifting

[Rusco]

Ok. If you treat it as a "fashion" apparently we could say that its highest peak was gone long time ago... But still at times you can hear the word downshifting used now and then.

Have there ever been any real efforts to try to look a bit deeper what downshifting actually is? How do you folks feel what kind of role downshifters have in society today? What does it mean to you?

[Master Ray]

I had to look online to what 'downshifting' actually meant... so it's basically making less money for a happier life?

Sounds fine to me.   

[Raven]

I sold my flat and bought a boat. I quit my job and now make less money but work for myself doing something i love. I earn less but I spend less because I need less. I spend about £20 a week on food which I supplement with the odd rabbit and pigeon which is a real treat. £30 is a big deal to me but I'm pleased to be going to Nights Of A 1000 voices.  I've never heard of downshifting but I guess that's exactly what I've done. I call it possum Living after the book by Dolly Freed. It's amazing how much you don't need stuff.  The less I have the happier I am.

[frankoschenko]

well, "downshifting" sounds appealing and might be a suitable way for singles or maybe couples with the same view on abstention from consumption. For families I find it difficult, however. While it would certainly make me much happier to carry less stuff / burden, my relatively small children might not understand why they´d have to go without things they´d been used to already (even though we already try to raise them to higher values than sheer accumulation of wealth and possession (I hope you get my meaning, English is not my first language)).

[Stephanie]

I had no idea what the word meant - but the concept I am familiar with.

I have often thought that it is something I would really like to do - quit my current job, find something else, something that makes...more sense to do. The thought of going to work and NOT disliking the idea, the thought of enjoying what I do and not to consider it a necessary evil.
And then I always end up coming up with a lot of "but"....

A lot of it is probably fear: what will I do if/when I can't work? This is one of the biggest things for me, seeing as you are already screwed with a fairly decent job once you retire...

The most sensible "but"for me is the fact that we have so many rescue pets at home - and already don't have enough money sometimes. I mean, it always works out, I am complaining at a very high level here, but it is really tight. So if I were to earn less I would not be able to properly care for the pets, I think - and it is a responsibilty I have chosen to take on. At least that is the way I look at it. Unfortunately, looking after animals, in whatever form, is not something you can really make a living from.

So I keep on doing what I'm doing, and part of it sucks - but the bit about the pets is obviously something that makes me very, very happy.

Although...I do realise that other people with less money manage to look after their pets as well - or so it seems.

Turning in circles here, wondering how much of what I'm thinking is just lame excuses.

[Isaac(Black Eagle Rising)]

First time I'm hearing the word 'downshift' and I agree with Stephanie.I have a lot of sentences in mind starts with 'but'.My work is heavy but payment is enough to make a living for my family.Many times I had the decision,I will quit tomorrow and start a life without all these things keep me away from things I wanted to do.And looking at the bills,rent,needs I quit the idea of resign.Kind of a dilemma.Sitting on my own,filling my self a single-malt beverage and singing..
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now

In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die

[Pol]

I suppose it all comes down to where you are in life n what your willing to give up , so course it depends on opportunity.

Previously going for a decent job to being unemployed,  made me realise how many things you don't exactly need.

It's all down to what essentially makes you happy.  Would you give up something for a happier something else,  much easier when it's only you

[Rusco]

I agree with you in it's much easier to start that when it's only you doing it. When you're with someone you'll try to a lot for your friend/wife/man, maybe try to surprise, give a gift or something. I feel a lot of sympathy for downshifting in general. But I think it's made too much like a joke, like a fashion or something. For f/"(% sake when you're poor you're not able to choose between dumpster diving and saving.