Downshifting and Relocation – Your Questions Answered
Why do so many people leave city life as a way of downshifting? Do you think the global recession is going to increase or decrease the amount of people downshifting to the coast or the countryside?
It seems to me that this is mainly to do with wanting to reduce stress and slow down. Life can be so pressurised and fast paced these days and this can lead to all kinds of personal and professional pain. It is possible to slow down the pace of life and reduce personal stress in a city environment or whilst living by the coast or in the countryside. Actually, living in a district that’s more remote doesn’t work for everyone. It depends what kind of lifestyle suits you. What we do know is that having some regular contact with nature, wherever you live, is very helpful. It reduces stress and produces endorphins in the brain – the happiness chemicals!
I think the global recession may lead to some people moving out of town and using redundancy, for example, as an opportunity to start anew in an environment that is better suited to them. However, for some people, it can have the opposite effect, if for example they believe that they’re not able to afford to move or they fear employment difficulties if they move further afield.
What advice would you give to someone considering a relocation?
Think about what you’re moving towards as well as what you’re trying to leave behind (see my recent blog “Freedom From” or Freedom to”). As with any major life decision, it’s the inner work that needs to be addressed first – establishing motivation, inspiration, personal values, the real reasons for wanting a change and the truth about where you wish to move to, metaphorically and physically.
Do you think there are dangers involved in packing up your life and moving to a far-flung destination?
I think I would prefer to use the word “risks” rather than “dangers”! There are risks in any decision and the way to evaluate the risks and minimise those associated with the path you decide to take is to do your research. I would suggest researching culture, the political situation, healthcare provision in particular for your considered destination. I would look closely at finances too. How will you finance your new lifestyle? If close to retirement, how will moving to a far flung destination affect your pension arrangements? The “danger”, in my opinion is in making an uninformed or ill-informed decision.
I would also suggest thinking deeply about who you would like to live close to in your new life. Who in your family matters most to you? Which friends would you like to have more contact with? Whilst many people are clocking up thousands of “love miles” visiting friends and relatives by plane at the moment, this is unlikely to be realistic within a very short space of time (probably within the next 5 years) with depleting oil supplies and climate change mitigation measures coming into force.
What would your advice be to someone who is struggling with where they are in their lives? Is there something to consider before taking the leap and making huge decisions like a relocation or career change?
Yes- your values and overall vision. You will need to be very clear on your motives and intention. I encourage my clients to be authentic, above all, in whatever they plan to do.
Many downshifters want to run their own business to help support the financial side of their new life. Have you got any tips for people trying to find a suitable business idea to develop?
That’s a BIG question! In brief it comes down to values, business purpose, what you want to achieve by starting a small business. Most of us are capable of doing many different things in order to earn a living. The question is really “What will make us happy too?” “How can I make a meaningful contribution to the world and support myself financially?” I do a lot of coaching on this and it’s a fascinating and fulfilling process – often very moving actually. Something you can ask yourself is: If your business were a vehicle for something, what would that something be?
How can people learn to live with less, especially with the concept of “downshifting” and returning to a simpler way of living? Won’t they just be miserable when they get rid of all their creature comforts and nights out?
Rather than “returning” to a simpler way of life, for me it’s more about creating a new way of living more simply. For some people, life without their creature comforts will be miserable. They find it a great challenge to see the value, or experience the joy, in the simpler things in life. This is not really surprising given the emphasis on the message “this creature comfort will make you attractive, sexy, happy etc. etc.” in most of the advertising on television and in newspapers and magazines. It can take many of us a few decades to realise that this message is a complete myth!
Some people who are forcibly downshifted e.g. through redundancy, ill health or a relationship breakdown, are quite depressed to begin with. It is possible to help them cultivate a different perspective on their plight and start to see the opportunities and gifts in their situation. I’ve found personal coaching to be a wonderful tool in this respect.
For those who can already envisage a richer, more meaningful alternative to the rat race, downshifting can be a blessed relief and a source of pleasure and tranquillity.
Do you think the concept of relocating your life in order to achieve happiness actually works? Or is it just a myth?
I think relocation on its own is not what will make us happy. To achieve happiness, we need to be living an authentic life, true to our values. We need to be honest with ourselves about what really motivates and inspires us about life, who we want to spend time with, what kind of environment we like to live in etc. Relocating in itself is not necessarily the answer to all of these things, although it might well form part of the means to the answer.
December 19, 2009
Posted in: Ethical Shopping
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