Downshifter is ... Definition, basic principles and interesting facts

The values of the modern generation have long ceased to consist of the usual criteria: work, family, mortgage, apartment. Travel, new acquaintances and interesting events are becoming more and more popular. The motto of many young people is the call not to put off life until later, but to live in the present. Thanks to this attitude, a new movement has recently appeared in Russia - downshifting. You can read about what it is, and what the pros and cons are in the life of downshifters in this article.

Recently, we hear more and more often about people who deliberately lower their standard of living. What does downshifter mean? The word "downshifting" comes from the English language, in which this term literally translates as downshifting or deceleration. In life, this concept is most often used when they want to talk about "living for themselves", following their own path, even with a decrease in social status. An analogue of downshifting is the simple living movement, or "simplification of life", whose supporters deliberately abandon generally accepted benefits in favor of truly valuable things - family, health, wisdom and lack of fuss.

Downshifting is most widespread in Europe and the USA. There are entire communities in these countries that promote their values and help their members achieve their goals. The most powerful Union is located in Australia, where the number of downshifters is 26% of the total population. It is impossible not to notice that the number of people who decide to reconsider their views on money and career, directly depends on the level of welfare of the state. The higher the incomes of the population, the more downshifters appear who oppose the established order.

History of the phenomenon

How did downshifting come about? This is an interesting question, since the term first appeared at the end of the 20th century. The “founders” of downshifting can be considered the generation of the 80-90s. The first followers of the movement were well educated, many of them were wealthy and respected by society. However, over the years of hard work and concentration on material wealth, they lost the meaning of life. In an attempt to re-experience the taste of life, they left their luxurious apartments, gave up prestigious jobs and deliberately went to "lower" the standard of living. Their new homes were inexpensive hostels, and the work required much less effort, although it brought less money. The surrounding people often look at downshifters as mentally ill - how can you give up wealth and everything you have? But downshifters themselves have an answer to this question - they simply do not want to spend their lives in a senseless "rat race".

Down-shifting is a natural reaction to the earlier yuppie style. Office work, clear chain of command, the main goals in life are career and money. Unsurprisingly, with such an unbalanced approach to life, many people veered off this path. The denial of the consumer style of society was manifested not only in individual cases of refusal from the usual way of life. Book “No fuss. How to stop rushing and start living ”Carla Honore conquered the whole world and gained many supporters after its publication. Modern scholars view downshifting as a form of self-destruction and behavioral deviation, but the phenomenon continues to inspire people around the world. What are the main features of downshifting?

Basic principles of downshifters

Downshifting varies from country to country. For example, in Australia, it is more likely associated with a change of residence. Australians, who have decided to abandon the usual goods, exchange city apartments for farm ranches. In Britain, downshifting has a clear ecological color - its followers move to the countryside and try to use only organic products, abandoning plastic and polyethylene. Russian downshifters leave prestigious jobs and move to developing southern countries. But the “slowdown” of life in all countries is based on common principles and values, which each culture interprets in its own way:

Slowing down the pace of life is achieved through a complete change of their activities. For example, a top manager can become a salesperson or a freelancer, which will give him more free time.
Rational use of your time. Downshifters refuse to spend their lives pursuing other people's goals, they prefer to communicate with family and friends.
Downshifters pay special attention to their leisure time. They believe that it should definitely bring pleasure, and think it over as carefully as possible. They spend their free time on their favorite hobbies, self-development and study, which undoubtedly makes their life much more eventful.
Denial of the principles of a consumer society. Avoiding the work-to-spend mindset often removes downshifters from the social pyramid, but at the same time makes them happier and reduces the stress of perpetual mismatch between income and spending.

The most famous downshifters

Downshifters behave differently in different countries. Russia is a country in which the idea that a person is happy if he has a well-paid job and material wealth is still strong. But research shows that income is not equal to happiness. This is proved by individuals who have chosen the path of lowering their standard of living. For example, the founder of a commodity exchange in Russia, German Sterligov, who had a huge fortune, left everything in the late 90s and moved to a remote village in the Moscow region with his family. His children do not go to school, but are homeschooled. The former businessman runs a farm: he breeds poultry, grows vegetables and seems to be quite happy with his life.

Another famous Russian downshifter is Ivan Okhlobystin, who, after a successful career and filming in many famous films, decided to devote himself to serving God. In 2001, he was ordained a priest and left for Tashkent. However, after 7 years, the actor began acting again, explaining this by the need to support his six children. Time will tell whether he will return to his priesthood, but Ivan himself does not exclude such a possibility.

Downshifting pros

The life of a downshifter may seem wonderful to some, but to instill fear in others. Followers of this movement note many advantages that appeared in their lives after abandoning familiar things:

Reduced stress levels.
The opportunity to get to know yourself better and start doing exactly what you have always wanted.
Better health. Unloved work and a tyrant boss have a very bad effect on human health, therefore, the normalization of sleep and all processes in the body improves not only mood, but also a number of biochemical parameters.
Self-development is a consequence of downshifting, because after leaving an unloved job, people want to find what they really like. Meditation, self-education, study of one's goals and needs - all this accompanies a transitional period, after which global changes take place in a person's life.

Minuses

Why, despite all its positive qualities, there are not so many downshifters in other countries and in Russia? The answer to this is the numerous downsides that accompany such a lifestyle.

Loneliness often becomes a companion of downshifters. Common interests and values are no longer associated with former friends, so the environment of people very often completely changes.
Failure to meet the requirements of society leads to exclusion from life. Downshifters do not fit into traditional dogmas, therefore, they often cause outrage and even rejection from conservative people. This, in turn, creates quite a lot of pressure on the person.
Decreased living standards. Although many people take this step consciously, not everyone likes it. According to statistics, only 40% of downshifters are satisfied with their financial situation, the rest suffer from the inability to buy what they want and financial constraints.

How to become a downshifter and change your life?

There are several ways to lower the standard of living, and they will depend mainly on the person's past.

The first group of downshifters is people over 40 who have achieved a lot in their life and rethought the meaning of the material in it. They worked hard all their adult life, thinking that when they start earning good money, then they will have a rest. But over time, obligations become more, and rest is postponed.
People under 30 who have chosen a job they don't like because of circumstances or parental pressure, but want to do what they really enjoy.

In all these cases, the scheme is quite simple - a person, knowing that soon he will need to leave the workplace with a stable wage, usually makes savings, due to which he manages to live the first year. At this time, downshifters are looking for themselves and try in new guises. At the end of this period, a person can open his own business, take on a completely different job, or even stay in temporary part-time jobs.

Where do downshifters live?

A downshifter is a person who has changed his lifestyle, therefore his place of residence often changes too. For example, Russian downshifters usually leave for GOA or Bali and live there for 7-9 months, while renting out their real estate in Russia. And in Europe, downshifters often stay in the city, but at the same time refuse responsible and high-ranking positions. Many leave countries with cold climates in search of warmth and eternal summer. But in America and Australia there are whole villages of downshifters, in which they can be alone with nature.

What do psychologists think about this?

Psychologists' view of the concept of downshifting is ambiguous. The fact is that completely different meanings are often put into this concept. Some downshifters run away from unnecessary stress at work, while others suffer from burnout and want to spend more time with their family. Experts point out that before you quit everything, you need to weigh the pros and cons. There are streaks of light and dark in every career, and your desire may turn out to be temporary. If you have firmly decided to leave your old life, then it is better to properly prepare for the new stage, and not rush headlong into all bad things.

Alternative ways to improve your life

Downshifting isn't the only way to make your life better. The most reliable prevention from becoming a downshifter is self-realization and a full-fledged, comprehensive life. You should not dwell on just one area, because money and a career will not bring harmony to life. Creativity, respect for society, a sufficient amount of rest and interesting leisure - this is what can replace downshifting and leave a person "included" in society.

Outcomes

Downshifting can be a way out of lingering dissatisfaction with your life. It's much better than alcohol and drugs. Downshifters are creative people who devote all their strength to rest and recovery, as well as to self-realization. But before you run away from reality, think about whether you really want to give up everything?

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