What does slow / downshifiting / seachange mean to you?

[suspire]

Hello - new here. I see there are a lot of views of posts but not a lot of posts. I think perhaps that means there's a lot of curiosity at the least, but maybe people are afraid to jump in?

I am just learning about the slow movement and would like to hear what others interpret the slow movement, sea change, downshifting, etc., to mean. Is it about doing less? Having less? Appreciating more? Being more aware?

To me, in my early stages with this idea, it's about choosing quality over quantity, about being present in my choices and my life. I don't like the word "slow" so much as it can imply laziness, and for me, that's not necessarily how I see it. I see it as slowing down in order to really notice and appreciate things; not just to eliminate things from one's life but to make more conscious choices about what matters and why.

What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with the above, or see it as entirely different from what I've laid out? Have you made small changes toward a greater change or did you change your life in one fell swoop?

Looking forward to the discussion!

[eryka]

Here in corporate America the standard by which you are judged seems to be "how fast did you do it" or "how many things did you complete (often multitasking)."  I did this for years and was often frustrated that I knew HOW to do something really well, but didn't get the chance to do that because there was only time to do the minimum acceptable before going on to the next item on the infinite to-do list.  I considered my husband so 'lucky' because he had the time to make the things he did perfect, or at least up to his standards of excellence (he was self-employed).  "He can only afford to put that much energy into things because he's not living in the really real world," I thought -- then I realized that this is the only world there is!!

I guess my definition would be, organizing or redirecting your life so your accomplishments are measured in how WELL you do things, not how FAST you do things.  And that the things you spend your energy on are congruent with your values & priorities.

[Leon]

eryka
I like the way you refer to the measure of speed as the indicator of 'success'.    The notion of what a culture considers a success is critical to supporting our changes.  To borrow some of the concept from others in the current environmental cause, if we can re-frame what indicators there are of 'success' in our own lives then by peer process these indicators begin to find their way into the culture's accepted notion of what is 'success'.

So, if we constantly affirm that we are successful because .... we can change our own values as well as societal ones.  Some examples using this formula may help.

I value (insert ATTITUDE /GOAL) and I'm unafraid to change (insert SOCIETAL EXPECTATION) so I (insert ACTION/CHOOSE) because (insert EFFECT/OUTCOME) makes me a SUCCESS!

an environmental one first..
I value (sustainability) and I'm unafraid to change (dress codes) so I (don't iron my shirts) because (reducing co2) makes me a SUCCESS.

as opposed to...
I value (luxury image) and I'm afraid of (being different) so I (work very long hours) because (driving a BMW) makes me a SUCCESS.


so now for slow...

I value (my connection to my family) and I'm unafraid to change (my income ) so I (don't work on special days like birthdays) because (just being there for them) makes me a SUCCESS.

I value (connection to food) and I'm unafraid of (foodchain marketing or eating a little less) so I (buy local organic produce) because (cooking & eating "clean n green") makes me a SUCCESS.

I value (connection to place) and I'm unafraid of (critcsim/gossip) so I (pick up other's rubbish in the street) because (a tidying community effort) makes me a SUCCESS!


I think you get the idea of how this strategy helps with generating the motivation based in professed values.  It then translates into action and lasting behaviour change personally and in peer groups.

Please have a go at some that you relate to and reply using this form if you like it - I'll even pass the results on to the academics from whom I borrowed the concept.


I value (insert ATTITUDE /GOAL) and I'm unafraid to change (insert SOCIETAL EXPECTATION) so I (insert ACTION/CHOOSE) because (insert EFFECT/OUTCOME) makes me a SUCCESS!

So
Let's
Overcome
Waste 

[eryka]

Okay ...

We value (having a very small eco-footprint) and we're unafraid of (being labelled a little eccentric) so we (sold our house and moved onto our sailboat) because (living every day as though we were on vacation) makes us a SUCCESS!

I value (shopping restraint) and I'm unafraid of (being seen in the same clothing at more than one event) so I (wear very boring unremarkable styles) because (saving money toward my long-term goals) makes me a SUCCESS!