| Gear Down & Green Up |
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| Written by Site Admin | |
| Wednesday, 03 January 2007 | |
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We’ve all watched programmes or read books on living simply, downsizing, downshifting or whatever the latest term happens to be. There is now National Downshifting Week which encourages those who have a passing interest or possibly a strong desire to reduce stress and get out of their fast paced worlds. This concept ‘s nothing new. To the cynical it is a bid for escapism. For those who are committed to this way of life, it is all about taking more time to live and to enjoy the important things, without being dictated to by money and the constant ‘ownership’ of things. It is suggested that if you have access to the internet that you should search under the following words. You will find under downshifting, self sufficiency, thrifty even frugal! It doesn’t have to be so drastic. A trip to your local library should throw a few books into the reading line, such as John Seymour’s ‘New Complete Book of Self-SUfficiency and ‘WIld Food’ by Roger Phillips. Other books such as doing up old junk will inspire you to try your hand at reviving old pieces of furniture. Above all go with how you want to simplify your life. This may be less in the way of possessions; fewer social engagements; working part-time if this is possible. The list is endless. The main barrier to most new or untried things is fear. So have a go at making hand made birthday cards, planting a few vegetables, or making an organic meal. Nobody is judging. To make a start, do things very gradually. Take a little time to sit and think for example at how much you spend on your monthly outgoings. Aside of treats, do you buy a take away because you are too tired to cook? Do you impulse buy to pick yourself up after a bad day? Debt soon mounts up. The real cost is the stress brought about by a life too busy to think straight. If you didn’t have the stress would you still have the need to buy? Credit cards and buy now pay later are other quick fixes which while convenient, can if not managed well become nightmares. Are you in a position to reduce your debt or cut up your credit cards? It may make you think more about what you spend your cash on. Don’t give it to those interest collectors! Above all downshifting should leave you invigorated, encouraged and upbeat as you reduce stress and gain control back over your life. It becomes life and not an existence A positive approach to living with less gives you more time to spend with the people and in the places you want to be. Changes to your attitude should happen because you want them to. Remember that money has replaced barter in this modern electronic age. While it may not always be feasible to swap our belongings and services, we can keep a healthy respect for money and teach our children how to respect it. It is true to say that the more money you have, the more you want and the longer and harder pay back is. Spend time with those who are important in your life. We’ve all heard of thirst pockets in that well know and highly marketed kitchen paper. Well now we have ‘time pockets.’ Aside of the term, it actually describes succinctly how we can claw back time, even in short periods for the real things. Why do we need so many gadgets, gizmos and expensive toys when we have board games, good food and conversation? So it goes that by slowing the pace and cutting back our consumption. Recycling, composting and revamping we may actually become greener as well. Some people go as far as drafting their own personal pledge form which they sign and date. Realistically, why waste paper? |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 July 2007 ) |
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