Downshifting is becoming a reality in Russia. Introduced in the West in the middle of past century, this concept suggests voluntary withdrawal from career pursuit in favor of quiet, simple living. Top managers in the West, tired of work-related worries, gave up their hard-won positions and rushed for low-paid jobs in warm countries
Undoubtedly, one of the initiators of downshifting was Prince Siddhartha Gautama of India. At sixteen, he left the palace for self searches and became known worldwide as the Buddha.
The most widely known among the Russian downshifters of today is the millionaire German Sterligov, whose life is shrouded in mystery and surrounded by rumors. In the prime of his business career he suddenly packed in and left to live on a farm in the Moscow Region together with his wife and five children. Sterligov claims that he left because he was broke. But some say it's not true and he is still rich. Whatever the case, he lives a farmer's life, eats homegrown foods and feels happy.
"In Russia downshifting means a return to earth. If you are depressed in the city, you are going to feel great in the country. After I changed my lifestyle, my values changed radically. If before I measured success in dollars and rubles, today I measure it in the health condition of my kids and family".
An ever more number of people are leaving the city in families and whole communities. They organize settlements where they plough the land and engage in trades. One of the first such settlements in Russia was "Covcheg" organized by a married couple - Fyodor and Yelena Lazutin, he - a physicist, she - an economist.
"I was searching for a meaning in city life, and gradually, I came to the conclusion that living in the country would yield much better results in self-fulfillment. We were joined by other families. In our community we have a lot of musicians, performers, psychologists, programmers, but all share the same vision on life".
Currently living in the settlement are 50 adults and 40 children. All in all, there are 82 such settlements in Russia. Some downshifters follow the western pattern and head for warm countries to work in cafes and rescue teams. But the majority, like the Russian classic Leo Tolstoy, opts for walking barefoot on the warm fields of Russia.
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