Portfolio Entry
Downshifting: a plague or a blessing?
We live in a frenzied rhythm and face tons of new information every day. Everything around us is constantly changing and it is quite natural that such phenomenon as Downshifting appeared in a modern world. But is it a real cure for mercantile 21st-century generation or just a new lifestyle trend?
There is a popular belief that Downshifting is a choice we all have. It’s the choice to make slow gradual changes to result in more leisure time, less work and less stress. The first step to downshifting is assessing your priorities. What is more important to you: Spending time with your loved ones or being able to afford the luxuries of life? Working on personal goals or climbing to the top of the company ladder? Downshifters have assessed their priorities and found they would rather have more free time spent on personal endeavors and with family than bring home a bigger paycheck or buy unnecessary items.
Downshifting is a lifestyle choice in which individuals choose to become more independent from consumerism and obsessive materialism. Downshifters may choose to work less hours, make less money, and spend less money to have more leisure time. We can’t deny that materialism puts a stress on us all. Society is constantly telling us that we need better and more of it. So we work more to earn more to spend more. Downshifting puts the focus on pursuing life goals of personal fulfillment, relationship building, and community interaction instead of the all-consuming pursuit of economic success.
It is obvious that being overworked has far reaching effects on our health and happiness. Numerous studies and surveys confirm that occupational pressures and fears are far and away the top source of stress for people around the world. This stress drives us right into doctors’ offices and hospitals and significantly decreases our life expectancy.
In conclusion it should be mentioned that downshifts are often identified with the losers who just could not stand competition and decided to flee from the battlefield, inventing romantic excuse. That may be so, if the person continues to mourn over missed opportunities. But if a person has found something more valuable for himself and his family, he can be richer than wall street wolves.
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