Free "FROM" and free "TO"

A fundamental concept I've been thinking about is that adopting a downshifting lifestyle just to be free "FROM" something is simply not enough to be happier. That's only half of the story, and probably not the most important.

The other half is downshifting to be free "TO" do something you can't do now, or you can't do in the way you want.

Downshifting is not the end but the mean to an end. It's simply an enabler, a way to gain more time for yourself.

You don't want to fight for more time for yourself and then not to know what to do with it. The objective of downshifting is not to do less, but to do more. More of what you love in your life, more of what you want to do but you can not, more of your passions.

So the "free TO" part of downshifting must be thought and defined before (or while) finding ways to be "free FROM" what you don't like, or don't need. The target must be clear, in very concrete terms.

Example:
What would I love to do that I can not do now?
I want to learn playing piano.
Fine.

How much time do I need for that?
2 hrs a week for piano classes and 1 hour a day of practice.
Perfect.

Where do I find that time? what do I have to cut at work, or do better / more efficiently? How? Simplifying my working life is one way:

• cut all un-necessary meetings that are not strictly related to my key deliverables;
• start saying "no" to requests from other colleagues that are not linked to your work;
• dramatically reduce time dedicated to email management (see "5 tips to avoid email slavery" and the "No.Re.Lo.P. experiment");
• delegate repetitive tasks as much as possible;
• reduce the number of coffee breaks;
• make clear to everyone that you will definitely leave the office at a certain time.

Easy to say, tough to do - I know.
A downshifting lifestyle requires discipline and commitment.