Downshifting: meaning, types and countries for living

It is believed that it is impossible to run away from oneself. But to hide from unnecessary fuss is quite real. Someone does this from time to time, going fishing or mushrooming. Others turn this process into a lifestyle called downshifting.

The term "downshifting" came into our life from the automotive market. The English word downshifting in Russian means "shifting the machine's gearbox to a lower speed." But at the end of the last century, it received a different definition and meaning. This is a total reset of speed in life. In simple words - transition to a lower level with less stress.

People who call themselves downshifters quit prestigious jobs and go into another reality. But do not confuse them with loafers. They don't stop getting their bread. But they do this as much as necessary to earn food and other necessary needs. They are no longer interested in careers, houses, cars. All they want to find is themselves in this world. Therefore, they go to meet themselves and the sun with a pure heart and a cold mind.

The downshifter is not a hermit. He continues to work. But he does it differently than before. Takes on small projects. This is, in fact, self-employed person... A remote job, a part-time job, a small position with a minimum set of duties and modest profits - all this suits the downshifter. However, he continues to develop. Spends time for self-education, hobbies. Most often travels. But he no longer goes to a luxury hotel, but is content with an inexpensive hostel, a tent on the shore of a reservoir or in the forest, a house in the village.

Downshifter flees civilization and at the same time remains a part of it. He takes the essentials from her. For example, a laptop or tablet so that you can earn your daily bread. Others grow this bread on their own plots. There are many successful businessmen or top managers of large companies among downshifters. These people are educated, purposeful, able to think outside the box. Therefore, they usually have several options for how they build their new way of life.

In addition to the fact that representatives of various industries and service sectors are becoming downshifters, they are also people of different nationalities. Each country has its own idea of ​​this way of life. For example, for strict Englishmen, downshifting is reduced to solving environmental problems. They grow organic products, organize campaigns to protect the environment. The main idea of ​​the Australians is not to sit for too long in one place. This applies to both home and work. Most of our compatriots go to warm countries. Whole families leave there.

First of all, you need to understand that a downshifter has a strong character and many skills. Another of your distinguishing features should be purposefulness. Since early childhood, have you dreamed of becoming a lifeguard on the beach, and want to change your expensive suit for shorts? Are you not afraid to depend on the vagaries of the weather and the goodwill of fate? For happiness, the internal state is important to you, and not the state of affairs on the stock exchange or stock market? Then you can try.

But before that, nevertheless, weigh the pros and cons better, determine your own predisposition to downshifting. The psychological prerequisites for this phenomenon are similar for all of its followers. They get tired of spinning like a squirrel in a wheel. They worry that they do not have time for themselves, their family and friends. The main philosophy of such people lies not in escaping reality, but in its transformation.

Such decisions are not made spontaneously. They need a mental approach. Here is a small plan of action to be taken, before parting with a brilliant past for the sake of a good future.

• You need to understand what exactly do you want to do: just travel, work in another country, live in a village, create an eco-farm, and so on.
• Calculate all the options for generating income - remote work, part-time work in local cafes, hotels, handyman, renting out real estate, interest on deposits.
• Combine debit and credit. Calculate all real income and expenses so as not to be left on the shore of a strange sea at a broken trough.
• It's not bad to create a small financial reserve in case something goes wrong at first.
• Choose region for further stay.
• Carefully study all the features of the selected country or villages from climatic conditions to religion, customs and laws of the people you want to join.
• Be sure to discuss your ideas with family and friends. If you want to take them with you, you must agree on everything "on the shore" in order to subsequently minimize the likelihood of conflict situations, however, as in the case if you leave them at home for a while or forever.

This is followed by dismissal from a boring job. Just don't bang the door loudly. Leave it ajar. There is always the possibility that you will need to return or ask for help from former colleagues.

So, you have arrived at your corner of paradise. Warm sea, fresh air, environmentally friendly products. All these delights of life can be accompanied by unpleasant consequences. First of all consider the climate. Not every person is able to easily endure the change of time zones and climatic conditions, but downshifters are not 17 years old, they know the taste of life, the smell of money and the possibilities of expensive clinics, salons, and so on.

The conditions in which yesterday's millionaire finds himself can quickly get bored with him. In addition, one has to adapt to the traditions and laws of the new country. Another difficulty can be the problem of children's education. Are you, in general, sure that they want to live away from the lights of a big city and all its possibilities? Often, it is children who become the reason that people return to their usual circle.

But there are other options for the development of events.

• Everything suits you. Your wardrobe, consisting of a pair of shorts and three T-shirts, is the ultimate dream come true. You enjoy life and the world around you. However, after a while, the refrigerator is completely empty. There is nothing to buy a shirt with, but on the street, as luck would have it, it got colder, and there is no way to earn the necessary amount. Heaven turns to hell and you are forced to return to the stone jungle.
• You enjoy everything that happens to you in a new place.... But after a while, you realize that such a way of spending time cannot become your full life. Downshifting for you turns out to be nothing more than a new kind of vacation. Rested, tanned, full of strength and energy, you return to your favorite work.
• Another option: you will never cross the threshold of a disgusted office, but you will find another way to make money. In their own country and in a familiar environment, it is easier for most to do this than in a foreign land.
• And here is a more attractive option. You don't have to look for a job. What you have earned over the past few years or decades is enough for you. Therefore, you are engaged in a hobby or charity, but still in familiar and understandable conditions from childhood.
• Ideally, you do not have the thought of turning the river back and entering your own water twice.... You stay in a new place forever or change your place of residence as you desire to see this or that corner of the vast globe.

One of the most common purposes for downshifters is travel. Many of them leave their ancestral home not to sit in one place. And it is not necessary to cross the ocean every month. And in one particular country, you can find for yourself all new tourist routes for a long time, which means that you can get fresh impressions, new knowledge and skills. This makes the inner world richer. But before choosing a country, determine the degree to which it suits you according to several criteria.

• Climatic conditions. We have already spoken about their meaning and consequences of influence.
• Cost of living and earning opportunities... In some states, you will not be able to work as a guide, for example. In others, it is simply extortionate taxes.
• Ticket price to a new life... You can't hitchhike to Australia.
• Visa regime. In some countries, the time of stay of foreigners is strictly limited. Take care in advance so that you do not have to pack your bags or, even worse, be deported in an emergency.

The list of countries to which downshifters are sent is very wide and varied. Here is the Dominican Republic with its paradise beaches, and Chile, attracting affordable prices, and Ecuador with its mountain peaks, and Georgia, famous for its hospitality, and almost European and at the same time very calm and provincial Cyprus. But we will conduct a comparative analysis of the most popular destinations.

This state of Southeast Asia, like others, such as Vietnam or Indonesia, has long been chosen by downshifters. The rather low standard of living dictates very attractive prices for food and accommodation.The ocean, numerous entertainments, including exotic ones, attract people from all over the world there. Especially the Russians, who enjoy what they lack in their homeland - the sun all year round. Plus - visa-free border crossing.

You can live there without paperwork for up to one month... After this period, you just need to go back and forth to the border with any nearest state, thus again getting a "ticket" for 30 carefree days.

This country is closer to us geographically. This means that the flight there will be much cheaper. In winter, you can buy a plane ticket from Moscow to Antalya for 3-4 thousand rubles. By the way, it is this time of the year that it is recommended to choose for the move. In the absence of a large number of tourists, life there becomes more measured and cheaper. However, it is still more expensive than in Asia.

But the standard of living, as well as the level of upbringing, is higher among the natives. Do not forget that despite the fact that this is a secular state, the majority of its inhabitants are Muslims. And this will have to be reckoned with.

They go there for spiritual enlightenment. This country also attracts those who love a healthy lifestyle. Yoga, vegetarian cuisine - all this, like a magnet, attracts thousands of people from all over the planet. In addition, endless beaches, warm climate, bright sun. However, one should not forget about the significant disadvantages of this state. The first is paid visa. The second is bad internet. Finally, complete unsanitary conditions.

This direction is more likely for those who have a sufficient amount not to think about how to make money in a foreign country, but simply spend it for their own pleasure. The cheapest destinations include Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia, Hungary, Romania. A plus can be considered the absence of a Schengen visa, the registration of which is a troublesome business. And its validity period, especially if you receive it for the first time, is very short. You can find a suitable job there, and the language barrier will not be a big problem, since many local residents studied Russian at school.

But the Cote d'Azur of France, the Greek islands, Spain, Italy, Germany and even more so Great Britain are more suitable for people with a high level of income.

Perhaps, as in this country, downshifting is developed only in the USA. These states, in principle, are considered the founders of this direction. Therefore, you will find many like-minded people there. But the main disadvantage is the cost of the flight. Moving to the other end of the earth will cost a pretty penny. What if you still want to return?

The vastness of our vast homeland is for those whose dream is to move to the countryside and live by subsistence farming. Such people often choose the Voronezh region with its rich black soil. The Krasnodar Territory is very popular. There is also fertile land, and it is warm and close to the sea. Downshifters can also be found in the immediate vicinity of the two capitals. Strange as it may seem, both Moscow and Leningrad regions are attracted by their proximity to megacities, developed infrastructure, the opportunity to visit a familiar environment at any time, to meet with relatives, friends, and, in principle, to have good rear areas for retreat. At the same time, housing there is cheaper than in St. Petersburg or Belokamennaya, and it is quite possible to organize a successful farm.

There is another "elite" type of downshifting, which is, perhaps, only widespread among our compatriots. Some are sent to restore the family estates, and not necessarily their own. Businessmen are turning into modern landowners. But for this you need to have solid savings. The creation and maintenance of an eco-farm is also a popular activity among our downshifters. According to some reports, now in Russia only about 400 different similar settlements are officially registered. They are scattered all over the territory of our largest country in the world - from Altai to Kaliningrad. These are the new Russian landowners, and those who are less rich financially, but by no means poor in ideas, connoisseurs of clean air, water and natural food.

Thus, downshifter - a person who works only so that he has enough money for the pleasures for which he aspires... Such an individual does not overwork for the sake of fame and career growth. It doesn't matter where a person does it and how. The main thing is that he is free from prejudices, ideas and way of life imposed by society. But at the same time he knows the value of everything. He is ready to invest his strength and knowledge, but exactly to the extent that is necessary for his personally comfortable living. He is not a beggar and does not sit on the neck of wealthy parents or other relatives. Prejudice is alien to him. He doesn't care what others say. If you are like that, then join this unusual army of talented and in a good way extravagant people who are not afraid to slow down solely in order to go down the career ladder and get closer to their true dreams.