In literal translation from English, downshifting is switching the car to a low gear. But let's see what this term, downshifting, means in the modern world. It was simply and genuinely interpreted by his journalist, The Washington Post, Sarah Ben Breatn, in 1991, calling it life in a lower gear (living in a lower gear). Well, if in Russian, downshifting is life for oneself, a rejection of the modern ideals that society dictates to us. For downshifters, this is freedom. But, they say, unlimited freedom is impossible, if only because a person can not 100% avoid contact with society even in countries for downshifting.
As a result, the philosophy of downshifting became simpler until the propaganda of idleness. But more on that later.
History of occurrence
According to some reports, the first downshifter was the Buddha Gautama. He left his father and inheritance, his wife and children, to enroll in the monks. Gautama left a legacy and devoted his life to investigating how a person is aging and why this happens.
The philosophy of downshifting spread in Western countries at the end of the twentieth century. It was associated with the movements of hippies, new age , and the very essence was that the need for development as a person was denied. According to downshifters, this need is imposed on us by society and its "rotten" ideals.
Opponents of downshifting are countered by the fact that it is not society that "forces" us to grow. Self-development is a natural human need, described by many psychologists.
Each country understands differently what downshifting is. So, in the UK, this movement is more likely to live without harming the environment. Downshifters independently grow ecological products at home, become vegans, save energy and recycle garbage. And in Australia understanding is significantly different - this, to a greater extent, the change of housing and residence. The first downshifter (although he did not call himself that) was Leo Tolstoy. His theory of interrogation is as close to the position of modern downshifters. Simplification is not asceticism at all, but a rejection of status, material wealth for the sake of spiritual development .
Theory of downshifting in Russian
What kind of movement downshifting it would be correct to ask BG. In parallel with the popularization of hippies and the abandonment of material goods in the West, downshifters already appeared on the territory of the USSR, musicians like Boris Grebenshchikov and Viktor Tsoy. They worked as watchmen and stokers, were expelled from universities and demonstratively resisted, to the best of their ability, the then order.
In parallel, these people did what they liked - music.
When the "world changed", they reincarnated in those who wanted to become - real musicians. Therefore, then downshifting was a way of protesting the ranks and a meager opportunity to do what I liked.
Today downshifting has gained unprecedented popularity in Russia. Perhaps, the people are guided by examples of the oldest Russian downshifter Emely. He lay on the stove, and did not want to work in any, even when he was offered the post of minister.
The philosophy of modern Russian downshifters is clearly different from the British one. They wanted to become top managers, but since this did not work out, they decided to become better
Moreover, this is done until there is money (in the case of an apartment, downshifting is a long-term hobby), and the main topics of interest to such people are beer, "grass," girls / boys, and "how not to do anything, that was all. " And for some Russians, downshifting is a great business. For a small fee, whole communities of downshifters are created all inclusive.