In the last decade at least 20% of the Australian population have downshifted, that is, they have voluntarily decided to change their lives in ways that mean they earn less and consume less.
However, most downshifters think they are the only ones. This website is to help catalyse and co-ordinate a movement among Australian downshifters, and to share information that shows consumption is not the only way to happiness.
A majority of Australians could afford to escape the rat race by downshifting economically, enhancing happiness & social capital, while reducing consumption and environmental damage.
Downshifting Downunder is a new organisation, coming together to catalyze and co-ordinate a downshifting movement in Australia that will significantly impact sustainability and social capital. (See Introduction)
We launched at a conference in Sydney on 23 July 2005, with interesting speakers, most of the core group are catching up on other tasks they postponed while volunteering on the conference. We'll announce further activities on this site soon - but make sure to click "Keep Informed" to make sure you hear about them.
If this indicates that there is sufficient interest/energy we plan to expand the organized movement with regional events and local support groups etc., so please indicate this in the Notes section when you click "Keep Informed"
Recent News and Changes
See more details of all of these
- news - Byron Child: Deep Downshifting, a life of no regrets
- news - The man who wakes up in a ditch... then goes to work at Sotheby's
- resources - Seachangers B&B in Allansford
- news - IYPF newsletter feature issue on downshifting
- news - First issue of our newsletter: Simpler Richer Living
- stories - Denise's story
- news - Downshifting Lovers of Oz
- news - SMH: Cast off the bourgeois chains, you've nothing to lose but your job
- news - ABC: Downshifting group to help Australians choose life
- news - Photos from Downshifting Downunder in Sydney 23 July 2005
- resources - Books and Resources for Downshifters
- stories - The downshifters of Buderim
- news - ABC: Places in the Sun: The Move to the Coast
- research - Downshifting research references
- research - Social Implications of the Downshifting Phenomena
- stories - In search of better health
- stories - In search of fulfillment
- research - Downshifters’ Retrospective Reflections
- research - Australia Institute Report on Downshifting
- stories - Change in status and identity
- research - How do other people react to downshifters?
- research - What pressures do downshifters have to overcome?
- research - How are we downshifting?
- research - Why are people downshifting in Australia?
- cartoons - What really matters?
- news - ABC: Millionaires can't get no satisfaction
- research - Who is downshifting in Australia?
- news - The fisherman's story (a downshifting proverb)
- research - What pressures do downshifters have to overcome?
- cartoons - voluntary? downshifting
- stories - Looking for Balance
- cartoons - Going part time
- news - Gross National Happiness - Bhutan's story
- cartoons - Camping - downshifting style
- cartoons - Cutting back working hours?
- info - Conference Flyer
- cartoons - Flat Screen TV anyone?
- resources - Clive Hamilton's new book Affluenza
- cartoons - High Rise with Bush Views?
- news - UK: Prudential launches a new guide to downshifting
- news - SMH: A serious bout of affluenza
- news - SMH: It is high time we realized that less is more
- news - SMH: Frugal consumers make up one of the last great unconquered markets.
- resources - The Wellbeing Manifesto - you might like to be a signatory
- news - UK: Thousands more 'downshifters' join exodus from cities
- resources - Alliances
- resources - Regaining Sanity - Discovering the Balance between Time, Money and your Life
- news - The real secret to happiness: higher taxes
- resources - UK: National Downshifting Week
- news - A Shared Journey - Social Planning for the Bega Valley Shire and Beyond
- news - British Women downshifting
- info - Registering fo Downshifting Downunder
- info - Conference Program
- info - Speakers for Downshifting Downunder - Sydney 2005
- info - Sydney Conference - Saturday 23rd July 2005
- info - Introduction to Downshifting Downunder
- info - Core Group
