Since starting my downshifting journey to a more sustainable existence, I have become acutely aware of just how frequently other people voice their exasperation at “having to lead a seemingly pointless and unhappy existence.” I was one of those people a mere 7 years ago. So much has changed in that short space of time. In 1998, there I was, a small business owner, employing 6 others, shackled to a large mortgage and living in the home counties. My children were stressed and I was stressed, but at least we were earning enough money to support our affluent lifestyle, even if we didn’t have any spare time to enjoy it! 7 years later and I am working part time from home, living a relatively low cost, sustainable, debt-free lifestyle. My children are home educated and I am self-employed supporting others who wish to tread a similar path. We are all less stressed and happier and are free to enjoy our lives in the moment, rather than striving forever for an imagined, utopian future.

Coaching others through similar processes has been for me an exhilarating, enlightening and humbling experience. One of my clients recently commented “downshifting really does happen on several different levels doesn’t it?”

Like many, she was forcibly downshifted. Having worked herself to the point of burnout, she was diagnosed with ME and obliged to take extended sick leave. She was the main breadwinner in her family and felt hugely responsible for letting her family down and for being rejected by her former employers as she was no longer a “useful human resource.”

Letting go of the old way of life.
 
The first level of downshifting is often accepting a loss of some kind. For those who are forcibly downshifted, for example through ill health or redundancy, the shock of having to embark on a new way of life is maybe to be expected. Many will view their situation as an opportunity, nevertheless, and it can be truly inspiring to work in coaching partnership with such positive people. Some, however, will not welcome a positive viewpoint in the beginning and need sensitive support and guidance to come to terms with their loss and welcome the inevitable changes in their lives. Even those who actively choose to downshift and take the courageous move of quitting a well-paid job, grieve for their old way of life. There may well be aspects of their former way of being that they cherished and now miss, even though their overall existence was viewed as something undesirable. Again, encouraging an acceptance of that loss and a willingness to view their situation from different perspectives is usually fruitful and often inspiring. From this point on, many clients are able to welcome the changes happening in their lives, whether expected or unforeseen, as their self-confidence and self-awareness develops.

Philosophies of transformation.

Despite the fact that life coaching is perceived by many to be “about goal-setting,” in practice most downshifters seem to prefer to spend at least an equal amount of their coaching sessions on process work. Much of this centres on their philosophies of transformation. Some will view downshifting, or a change to a more sustainable way of life, as a learning experience. At the point where they can start to view their dilemma in a positive light, even those in ill health will begin to talk about their situation in terms of learning experiences. Many envisage a new path and an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth and we explore what that means to them and how they can benefit from their insights. Some feel they have stepped up to a new level or are beginning a new phase in their lives. For them, coaching can be about embracing new objectives and achieving wisdom, honesty and openness. For some, it can also encompass clearing the dead wood in their lives and recycling it to nourish new growth. Many experience the concept of “living in the moment” for the first time in their lives. Authenticity is an idea that we discuss frequently, especially having elicited the client’s core values and discussed the relationship and importance these have to their everyday lives.

Looking at abundance and prosperity.

As one might expect, the subject of money and the trials and tribulations of surviving with less, or indeed how to earn more, are a regular feature of coaching conversations. The idea of wealth as something that encompasses anything other than financial issues is a revelation for many. We frequently explore different aspects of abundance theory, limiting beliefs surrounding prosperity and money and their ideas on overcoming these. Sooner or later, the client is able to observe their attitude to wealth, success and prosperity in a broader and more flexible sense, thus freeing them to redefine what a purposeful life has become for them.

At peace, at last.

When asked what they ultimately hope to achieve through coaching, the bottom line for many is “peace, tranquility or happiness”. It is truly a joy when we reach this landmark together in partnership. And this partnership is one in which I invariably find myself learning alongside the client. I’m sure other coaches will identify with this. Being on a similar downshifting journey myself, the insights and revelations that my clients unearth frequently challenge my own limiting beliefs and so I too am moved further down my personal downshifting path.

For me, witnessing a client’s delight in attaining their goal of peace, tranquility or happiness is just as much a part of my own definition of success in being what I hope is an authentic, committed and fulfilled “Sustainable Living Coach”!