Downshift to a sensible life

THE reasons behind a move to France can be many and varied, but often the chance to take things at a slower pace is a real draw.

Whether it is spending more time with the family, working on a new home-based project or just the chance to watch the sun rise over the hillside, people are sure to have a variety of reasons.

It was this desire to slow down and downshift that saw Tracey Smith and her family head to the south west corner of France where she laid the foundations for her National Downshifting Week.

Now living back in the UK, but still enjoying a sensible pace to her life, Tracey is set to begin promoting her third downshifting week, which will take place between April 21 and 27.

And this year Tracey is aiming to have as little impact on the environment as possible, substituting a tour of the UK with shows on local radio, connecting with people by video conferencing and harnessing the power of the internet.

"I’m promoting simple, green living and leaving as light a carbon-footprint as I can," Tracey said.

"I will be using public transport, Shanks’ pony and car sharing to get me to my destinations and if I physically can’t get somewhere, I’ll use another method to communicate my point."

Her campaign targets individuals, schools and businesses offering a number of tips that people can adopt in their day-to-day life. These include:

- Cut up a credit card

- Plant something in the garden you can cultivate and eat

- Book a half-day off work to spend with someone you love, no DIY allowed

“Everybody can slow down a gear and the benefits are endless," Tracey said. "More time to spend with our children and loved ones, improved health, less stress, better food by cooking from fresh and supporting local producers, being just a few."

Comments

[Tracey Smith]

Hi Craig,

Thank you for highlighting National Downshifting Week!

I hope that readers who are considering downshifting to France have a good look through the website and long before they plan their destination, they put some serious thought into living with less in their own four walls in their home countries.

You need to be sure this lifestyle change is for you (and your family)before you overcommit!

My best advice is to start gently, dip your toes into simple living and when you feel ready, ramp up 'living with less' to the next stage. Print off the free 'Downshifting Manifesto' from the NDW website, put it up on the fridge and start charting your progress.

This way, you will find your comfort level of downshift and more importantly, you will find out how much money you need to earn/spend, in order to be happy, stay sane and stress free - believe me, moving countries, even with the best will in the world, is stressful....

I have, sadly, seen too many people head to France (and other european destinations) and head back in year one because they hadn't really 'thought it all through'.

They also thought downshifting would be the cure for all ills....in some cases, back to basics living CAN be, but you need to have given it a good go before you leave Dover to be sure it's for you.

I wish all your readers "Bon chance"!

TS x

[Sam Mooney]

So many people move to France with the expectation of a slower pace of life. It's true things are slower here but at the same time we often have to work longer and harder than we did wherever we came from.

Still, for me anyway, better to be working longer and harder in the Aude than in Canada.