Its National Downshifting Week!
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04.22.06
In all of the excitement and drama of Earth Day, we completely forgot that today is the start of the second annual National Downshifting Week in the UK. Founder Tracey Smith says in the Guardian: "Many people want to pull away from the throwaway, takeaway society we have found ourselves in," she says. "I would love a glass of champagne as much as the next person, but I don't need it." For Tracey and her husband, downshifting is about their children. "My children realise that if they want consumables it means that mum and dad have to work harder, which in their eyes equates to less playtime with mum and dad," she says. "That's what downshifting is. The less money you spend the less time you have to spend earning and the more time you have with the ones you love." They offer a free downloadable Downshifting Planner and the downloadable guide "Slow Down and Green up" It is all very much in keeping with our theme about living with less. ::National Downshifting Week with a few good ideas for individuals below the fold.
Activities for the Individual
-Book a half-day off work to spend entirely with someone you love, no DIY allowed
-Cook a meal from scratch, using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, preferably organic
-Cut up a credit card
-Donate a bag of clothes, toys or useful items to a local charity shop, refuge or recycling centre
-Hand-make a simple card for the next birthday or event on your calendar
-Eliminate 3 non-essential purchases this week
-Plant something in the garden you can cultivate and eat and start a compost heap
-Consider reputable work at home parents and small local businesses, for services you need
-Tonight, turn off the television, switch on the radio, play a few games and talk
-Volunteer an hour of your time to a local charity shop, animal shelter, hospice etc
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
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- The Times Newspaper on Transition Towns & 'Apocalypse Now'
- Ten Things to Eat Before They Die
Hi all - thank you so much for your continued support of National Downshifting Week.
As soon as the UK event is over, I will be excitedly immersed in bringing NDW to America and Canada in June.
News will be posted here at the Treehugger.
Watch out guys, it's time to Slow Down and Green Up!
Tracey Smith
I think this a really great idea! As a student living and working in NYC I am constantly being bombarded with images and ads of things to buy and that I "need". Between work and school, I have so little free time to enjoy friends and life in generarl...it is quite frustrating. Even though I don't consider myself a mass "consumer", I do spend a lot of money on yoga and health food and sometimes it is on things that I don't really need. This is a great reminder for someone like myself, just starting out in the world and trying to keep a balance between work, school, paying the bills and eating/enjoyment! Thanks :D
Hiya - if you'd like details of the 2007 National Downshifting Week, I'd love to hear from you!
It's coming up between the 21st and 27th April.
Info at www.DownshiftingWeek.com
Cheers!
TS