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The American Downshifting Manifesto "Helping you find a good work/life balance" National
Downshifting Week USA
July 7-13,
2007 |
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| Money -
We are surrounded by the 'Buy
Now, Pay Later' credit culture and have forgotten the value of our
true earnings. Curb your debt and prevent future overspending by cutting
up a credit card.
Mantra - The more money you spend, the longer you need to work to pay for it. Remember - The very best things in life are free. |
Cut Up a Credit Card Date......................................... Re-learn the value of money and live within your means |
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Reclaimed an Hour of Time This Week Date......................................... Spend quality time with the most important people in your life |
Time - According
to the Center for Economic Policy Research, US workers are working more
hours per week and more weeks per year than in 1973.
In their 2007 report, "No Vacation Nation," the CEPR data
showed that one in four Americans get no paid leave, and that 45% of us
don't use all of the vacation time we do get. Everybody
can claw back time pockets here and there. Mantra - What's the point of a fortune, it you haven't the time to spend it? Remember - The most important gift of all, is time. |
| Waste -
Running taps, bulging trash bags, lights left on - you might find yourself
going automatically greener as your pace slows down. Composting is
an easy one to get started with - coffee grinds, tea bags, veggie and
fruit peelings will all turn into 'black gold' potting compost, ideal
for your yard or garden instead of the petrochemical fertilizers sold at
the "big box" stores. Mantra - Get a handle on refuse and energy use and watch your waste! Remember - Landfill is one stroke away from land full |
Started Composting or Recycling Date......................................... Love your bin, love your garden, love the planet - compost! |
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Donated Time or Items to a Worthy Cause Date......................................... Give something back by volunteering and explore charity shop chic |
Giving
- An incredible sense of contentment comes when you give something back to
your community. Whether it's volunteering or donating at the local secondhand
store, or doing a bit of gardening at your CSA, or volunteering at a
hospice, you cannot imagine how much light you shine in the lives of those
less fortunate. Mantra - Make this your year to volunteer. Remember - Kindness is infectious, give someone else the bug. |
| Food
- Celebrate the fantastic revival of simple, wholesome dishes.
Consider organic and free range too. Cooking from fresh is cheaper
and can often be quicker than the processed options, with taste and health
benefits beyond anything in a box. Relax if you don't have all the
ingredients, substitute it or leave it out, but above all, enjoy putting
your meal together. Mantra - Peel it, chop it, stir it, stuff it, love it! Remember - Ditch the fear and indulge the fun and fantasy of simple, home cooking. |
Cooked a Simple Meal Using Fresh, Local Ingredients Date......................................... Get on the mouthwatering road to better food, starting with your eggs |
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Purchased Local Produce from a Farmers Market, Co-op or CSA Date......................................... Support the local markets and shops |
Community
- Through local shops and vibrant markets flows the lifeblood of our
communities; they need our support more than ever before. By making
one new purchasing decision each week, that favors local seasonal
produce, you are helping to breathe new life into this precious
resource. Mantra - It's time to
explore our
neighborhood shops! Remember - When they are gone, they are gone! |
| Enjoy
- Have you ever wanted to unleash your concealed talents?
With so many great ways to unwind your mind and simply feel good, it's
just a question of giving yourself permission to have a go.
Greetings card making, painting, gardening, am dram; whatever rings your
inspirational bell, go ring it! Mantra - There is a life outside of the commute and the office! Remember - How will you ever know what lies within, unless you make the time to scratch the surface? |
Started Something JUST For Me (details) ................................................. Date......................................... Indulge your hidden talents and passions - paint, make, bake, create |
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" I hereby pledge to slow my life down a gear for the benefit of my health, my well being, my environment and for those around me whom I dearly love. " Signed ............................................................ ........................................................... Dated |
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National Downshifting Week Awareness
Campaign.
Copyright © Tracey Smith 2007. All rights reserved. Revised: 03 July 2007
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