Well I didn’t do this. Who blogs in their veggie patch anyway, I ask you?
You probably guessed it. Today was my downshift day and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
But wait a sec. What’s a downshift day Gav?
Well, it is a day that I don’t get paid and get a day off instead. Luckily, where I work allows us to go part-time if our line manager agrees. So I work a 9 day fortnight, do what I want, and take some of the load off Kim.
I figured that if you don’t ask, you don’t get. I certainly don’t miss the extra money, because we changed our lifestyle to have a lower cost of living.
Cheap Electricity, cheap food, living on a budget, and living within our means. Notice that I didn’t say tight budget because we just live with our budget, and change it as necessary. We have been living like this since January 2012 when I took the pay cut so we it is the norm for us now.
You can read about why I originally decided to downshift a bit over at the post titled; Downshifting. It is an interesting tale and worth a read.
Anyway, enough rambling. What did I do on my much valued downshift day?
- Up at 6.30am to feed the chooks,
- Watered the garden with tank water,
- Moved the grey-water hose to the next tree,
- Talked to the chooks. They didn’t talk back,
- Made four 1.2 kg batches of soap with Kim as demos for Advanced Soap making course. She did talk back,
- Had a meeting with Kim about soap making products for the shop,
- Visited the hardware store to pick up some more Caustic soda,
- Watched the latest episode of The Walking Dead over lunch,
- Moved old files off Kim’s old laptop to her new PC.
- Fixed the inkjet printer,
- Wrote the course notes and outline for day 2 of Blogging for Beginners,
- Fixed an issue with the shipping configuration of the Little Green Workshops shop,
- Printed and made booklets for blogging course,
- Taught the second 3 hour session of the Blogging for Beginners course,
- Wrote a blog post!
Phew, I am worn out. I love my downshift day.
I think I need another downshift day to get over my busy downshift day!
A great post Gavin, valuing your time and activities over money and at the same time having paid work. It’s also handy your professional life comes in handy for your personal life with your IT background. In regards to your downshift day, what’s that saying “do what you love and it will never be work” or words to that effect. I’ve been watching River Cottage Australia again the first series I got for Christmas last year and just love watching the little farm get set up with veggies, sourdough starter (I attempted this once and failed but will have to give it another go). Have a good weekend. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
Thanks Kathy. So true about do what you love. It is doesn’t feel like work at all, in fact it is uplifting. How many 9 to 5’ers could say that?
Have a great weekend as well!
I love my job and the people i work with but i would also love more time off with no set plans to do anything. Very jealous Gav but also realistic. I never know what our financial status will be as it depends on the other half’s work so i must be the constant breadwinner. Not complaining but i do so want to be at home a bit more. Love that you and Kim work together so well. Im definitely in for the next course but i keeping forgetting. I have a dog that talks back in scooby doo speak. Its hilarious and she look so serious while she’s doing it. We can converse for quite a while together.
Teddy does the same thing, and thankfully I cannot understand him. The day I do is the day I have lost my marbles 😉
I dropped down to doing a 4 day week almost a year ago and I’ve never looked back. Like you i simply live within my means and am all the happier for it. I spend my days of gardening, cooking, walking the dog or just being. Everyone should do it if they can!
I agree Emma. Best thing I ever did!
When I went back to work after my kids were older I only managed to work full time for 4 years. I realized that there was more to life that working,cooking and cleaning, I missed my gardening and crafts.
I was able to do part time work 2 -3 days a week and I loved that. Just enough to get some money but home enough to look after my home.
I’m glad you were able to work out an extra day off. The benefit you will get from that will more that compensate for the lost wages
Marie
Brilliant. Well done Marie!
Love The Walking Dead. My oldest son and I watch it together. It’s our Mother-Son bonding time.