Read the text, study the words and fill the gaps with a suitable word from the

box.

What does Downshifting mean?

www.investopedia.com : The act of reducing one's standard of living for an improved quality of life.
www.thefreedictionary.com : The practice of simplifying one's lifestyle and becoming less materialistic.

In the 1990s this new form of voluntary simplicity began Vocabulary

1)_____________ in the mainstream media and has continually grown
in popularity 2)___________ populations living in industrial societies mainstream (adj) – common
especially the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. and shared by most people
emphasis (n) – special
Downshifters are people who 3)_________ long-term simplicity in their importance or significance given
life. They accept less money 4)_________ fewer hours worked in order to something
to have time for the important things in life. Downshifters also place consume (v) – to purchase
emphasis on consuming less in 5)___________ to reduce their economic goods and services
ecological footprint. consumerism (n) – an attitude
Downshifters have two things in 6)___________. Firstly, and most that values the acquisition of
importantly they believe that an excessive pursuit of money and material goods
materialism comes at a substantial cost to their 7)_________ lives and excessive (adj) – more than is
to the lives of their families. Secondly downshifters take responsibility considered acceptable, proper or
for their situation. 8)_____________ of complaining and expecting the necessary
government to do something they take action to change their own pursuit (n) – the effort made to
lives. try to achieve or obtain
People downshift their lives for mainly 5 reasons: something
a) A desire for a more balanced life with less 9)____________ substantial (adj) – considerable
b) Clashes between personal values and 10)____________ of the in amount, extent, value, or
workplace importance
c) Wanting a more fulfilling life reject (v) – not to accept
d) Bad health something
e) Environmental 11)____________/rejection of consumerism tend (v) – to be generally
inclined to react or behave in a
People who downshift are looking to 12)_____________ their personal particular way
lives. These changes could take the form of more spare time, a suit (v) – to be fit, suitable,
reduced workload or a lower stress level. To achieve these goals, the convenient, or satisfactory
person must be 13)__________ to give up his or her current standard consumption (n) – the
of living and look to reduce the cost of living. For example, someone purchase and use of goods and
may 14)____________ to downshift by reducing monthly expenses, services
moving to a smaller house or selling 15)_________________ occur (v) – to happen or come
possessions. into existence
Downshifters tend to reject items 16)__________ to social status, plan refine (v) – to improve an idea,
spending carefully, eat out less and take less holidays away from home method, system, etc. by making
- because their current 17)__________ becomes a holiday destination small changes
of sorts. Often they'll move from their current home, choosing to
The missing words:
18)_______________ a house in an environment suited to their
hobbies or need for peace. common related adopt
stress seek appearing
In a nutshell, downshifting is about less consumption, 19)__________ those improve instead
happier for it and the rejection of "keeping up with the Jones's". It's a attempt among concerns
process that doesn't occur overnight, but is usually refined over a through purchase being
number of years. Downshifters 20)__________ a life filled with more order willing home
unnecessary own
passion and purpose, meaning, fulfilment and happiness. A life to look
back on with no regrets.
KEY

In the 1990s this new form of voluntary simplicity began appearing in the
mainstream media and has continually grown in popularity among populations
living in industrial societies especially the United States, the United Kingdom,
and Australia.

Downshifters are people who adopt long-term simplicity in their life. They accept
less money through fewer hours worked in order to have time for the important
things in life. Downshifters also place emphasis on consuming less in order to
reduce their ecological footprint.

Downshifters have two things in common. Firstly, and most importantly they
believe that an excessive pursuit of money and materialism comes at a
substantial cost to their own lives and to the lives of their families. Secondly
downshifters take responsibility for their situation. Instead of complaining and
expecting the government to do something they take action to change their own
lives.

People downshift their lives for mainly 5 reasons:

a) A desire for a more balanced life with less stress
b) Clashes between personal values and those of the workplace
c) Wanting a more fulfilling life
d) Bad health
e) Environmental concerns/rejection of consumerism

People who downshift are looking to improve their personal lives. These changes
could take the form of more spare time, a reduced workload or a lower stress
level. To achieve these goals, the person must be willing to give up his or
her current standard of living and look to reduce the cost of living. For example,
someone may attempt to downshift by reducing monthly expenses, moving to a
smaller house or selling unnecessary possessions.

Downshifters tend to reject items related to social status, plan spending

carefully, eat out less and take less holidays away from home - because their
current home becomes a holiday destination of sorts. Often they'll move from
their current home, choosing to purchase a house in an environment suited to
their hobbies or need for peace.

In a nutshell, downshifting is about less consumption, being happier for it and

the rejection of "keeping up with the Jones's". It's a process that doesn't occur
overnight, but is usually refined over a number of years. Downshifters seek a
life filled with more passion and purpose, meaning, fulfilment and happiness. A
life to look back on with no regrets.

Sources:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/downshifting
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/downshifting.asp
http://www.slowmovement.com/downshifting.php