Today, is the first day of InterNational Downshifting Week.

The general idea is to take a look at our lives and see where we can make some changes. To slow down the pace of life, take stock and think a little about the impact on our lives, others and the environment. To stop, and take in how we are doing, working and making choices with our shopping and eating habits. I think most people are aware and already making some changes to their lives. Here are some simple and easy to achieve ideas.

A lot of people are already downshifting without realising it. If you prefer to buy second-hand where you can, you are already downshifting. If you cook mostly fresh food and buy locally, you are already making changes. It all matters, however small that change is.

Ironically, we’ve stepped up a gear in our downshifting as a family and on my own personal level. I was downshifting years ago without realising it. I’ve composted for years, I shopped in charity shops and ate very little meat , and much more. Everyone thought I was bonkers. It’s becoming more mainstream as time goes by. And I’m delighted!

So, what is downshifting? The intention of downshifting isn’t to drop out of society but to just make things simpler, stress less and take the pace of our lives down a notch.

So, what can be done? Taking an active part in our lives; to reduce debt, consumption, think before we shop, recycle where we can, walk instead of driving short distances, dedicate half a day whereby we do absolutely nothing, but spend time with the people we love, grow our own food (even in the smallest of places), watch our waste consumption, our energy consumption, using fresh, local food and even more important, cook together as family. Here’s a link to a previous post whereby Tracey Smith explains how easy it is to do.

There’s a feeling of satisfaction about being more self-reliant. Our food bill has been cut drastically without really intending it, we use the car less and I’ve found ingenious ways to use recycled items like I never would have believed. When we renovate our house we are making great changes to reduce our consumption of energy, so lowering our bills. We will also be keeping chickens too. But it doesn’t have to be that drastic (although it isn’t hard to do). It’s fascinating journey and I highly recommend it. Since National Downshifting Week 2007, we started off small and now it’s become such a habit. It’s all so enjoyable that I couldn’t do it any other way. To intentionally slow down benefits everyone. We don’t have to move from the city, buy that small-holding. And besides, not everyone wants to. These two are proof of that.

The rewards: We save money, help the planet, show our children how to be self-reliant and that money isn’t the ultimate reward. We are relearning life skills, relying on our own resources, spending more time together the process. We’re also finding talents we didn’t know we had! My son is showing a real talent for construction and design, I’m realising that I’m so resourceful and have such an imagination! And it goes on.

Have a happy Downshifting Week! And I would love to know how you get on.

I’ve always loved this. Joe loves Star Wars and because we’re on the journey of watching what we put in our shopping trolley, me and the boys often watch it.

Enjoy!