downshift

Downshift means to decrease speed or rate of activity.

When we talk about downshifting, we usually mean changing gears in life. Imagine driving a car with automatic transmission – as you slow down on a hill, you shift into a lower gear to help control your speed and maintain power. It's similar when people talk about downshifting in their lives. They might be working too hard or moving too fast, so they decide to take things down a notch, literally changing pace by adjusting priorities, work schedule, or even relocating to a quieter place. Some people downshift from a high-stress job to something more relaxed, while others slow down on social media or scale back their goals to focus on what's truly important.