Downshifting - how to quit work and rest forever
The first known downshifter of the world was the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who in the IV century AD, left throne and went to his estate to grow cabbage.
Many people who yearn for freedom and tranquillity tend to dream to getaway from this world. While some people only dream about it, others make their dreams come true. Downshifting is not simply an escape from problems. This is a kind of philosophy which stands for voluntary simplicity, conscious rejection of permanent rush, following your own dreams and real desires, but not those imposed on you by public opinion and advertisement. To some extent this is escapism, i.e. escape from the world.
How do people become downshifters? In many ways. Some people being on their last legs from insomnia and endless stress, waving good-bye to money, go away, taking care of their health. Others cannot go through the break-up with a beloved person and change surroundings together with the whole life. Sudden death of acquaintances or friends can also influence the decision.
And then a person starts to think what he/she would like to get from this life and what he/she would like to get rid of, makes a list of places he/she would like to visit and starts the journey.
Downshifters disappear can from the world forever or for long periods of time, emerging only in case of vital necessity.
Asia, especially Southeast and South Asia attracts downshifters most of all. There they can find quite different attitude to life.
But not all people can leave and live for years doing nothing. Active people, tired of everyday fuss, still need to apply their creative potential. But there exist different ways for self-fulfilling.
Of course, not all people are satisfied with the change of lifestyle and falling incomes. There are people who find themselves unable to live without the everyday fuss of big cities, they lack adrenaline and communication.