Welcome to International Downshifting week!

Are you hankering after a slower pace of life, more meaning or living a life that is more in alignment with your values? Then Downshifting week is for you!

Downshifting week was created by Tracey Smith, author of “Book of rubbish ideas”. She realised she wanted to live more sustainably, with more emphasis on doing the things that bought value and meaning to her and her family.

Downshifting can be a gentle, slow process - you don’t have to move to a yurt over night (although you can if you want to!).

Downshifting can be as simple as signing up for Garden Organic’s One Pot Pledge, as symbolic as cutting up a credit card, as generous as donating items to a charity shop and as satisfying as switching off the TV for the night and reading or playing a game instead. It’s up to you - take a good look at your life and figure out the things that are stressing you most, then take tiny action steps to change them.

If you hate your job, what step could you take this week to work towards getting the job of your dreams?

If you spend too much time on the computer, watching TV or out and about, why not spend a night in and read or talk to a loved one?

If you’re feeling unhealthy because you eat too much junk food, you could make a beautiful meal from scratch using local and seasonal ingredients!

If you want to flex your creative muscles, then why not make a card, an item of clothing or learn to knit?

Maybe your health could be improved by spending more time outdoors tending to your garden or destressing with a walk in the country.

Whatever you need to do to lead the life you want, why not use Downshifting week as a kick start towards taking those steps?

If you feel you need more help, are facing blocks or fears, then contact Michelle Zelli. Michelle, who has been featured on ITVs ‘The Morning’, is a life coach who weaves ideas from the worlds of modern psychology, behavioural science, physiotherapy, brain training, meditation and esoteric traditions to get people thinking about themselves and their life in new ways.

Even if you feel nervous, cynical or unsure, Michelle will facilitate you to cut through fears and achieve the life you want. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain! I’ve been having some coaching sessions with her and I’ll be sharing my amazing experiences on the site soon.

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