downshifting
Slowing via transmission
Downshifting is shifting to a lower gear in a vehicle, typically to slow down or gain more power on hills.
The term extends to a lifestyle choice of voluntarily reducing work hours, income, or consumption in favor of more time, less stress, and simpler living.
Someone who downshifts their career might move from a high-powered job to something less demanding.
After the heart attack, he started downshifting—fewer hours, more time with family.
Toothed wheel or belongings
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- transmissionSending of information
- brakeDevice to slow motion
- decelerateReduce velocity
slow · coast · gearbox · drivetrain · manual · synchromesh · sequential · H-pattern
Gradual reduction in pace
- decelerateReduce velocity
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- relaxBecome less tense
- decompressRelease stored pressure
de-stress · recharge · respite · pause · retreat · quietude · tranquility · mindfulness
Aesthetic of reduction
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- homesteadingSelf-reliant land-based lifestyle
- off-the-gridWithout municipal utilities
- frugalityEconomical resource management
anti-consumerism · ikigai · hygge · permaculture · handcrafted · artisanal · telecommuting · sabbatical
Reduction in status
- part-timeLimited work schedule
- semi-retirementPartial departure from work
- job-sharingSplitting one role between two
- rat-raceExhausting competitive routine
gear
Toothed wheel or belongings
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- transmissionSending of information
- brakeDevice to slow motion
decelerate · slow · coast · gearbox · drivetrain · manual · synchromesh · sequential · H-pattern · throttle
slow-down
Gradual reduction in pace
- decelerateReduce velocity
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- relaxBecome less tense
decompress · de-stress · recharge · respite · pause · retreat · quietude · tranquility · mindfulness · meditation
minimalism
Aesthetic of reduction
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- homesteadingSelf-reliant land-based lifestyle
- off-the-gridWithout municipal utilities
frugality · anti-consumerism · ikigai · hygge · permaculture · handcrafted · artisanal · telecommuting · sabbatical
demotion
Reduction in status
- part-timeLimited work schedule
- semi-retirementPartial departure from work
- job-sharingSplitting one role between two
- car skillsdriving, steering, braking, parking, parallel parking
- gradual motioncrawling, creeping, inching, drifting, gliding
- racing tacticsovertaking, drafting, late braking, racing line, pit strategy
- semi-retirement activitiespart-time work, reduced hours, consulting, mentoring, advisory roles
- simple livingsimple living, frugality, minimalism, decluttering, back-to-the-land
- stopping methodsbraking, coasting, friction, emergency brake, hand brake
downshiftingupshifting
Switching to higher gear
climbing the ladder · leaning in · fast-tracking · hustling · grinding
downshiftingramping up
Progressively increasing in scale
accelerating · speeding up · intensifying · escalating · cranking up
shift, shifting, shiftless, gearshift, shifter, downshift, upshift, downshifts, downshifted