Downshifting: from history to modernity

The author attempts to consider the downshifting in a historic perspective. The described material is supported by examples from the literary works. The paper emphasizes the freedom to choose the own life path, avoiding the imposed ideology by the search for Self. The author compares the downshifting and hippies ideologies. It is concluded that identification of hippies and downshifters is incorrect, as the ideas of the latter have deep historical roots, they do not contain incitement to rebellion, drugs and alcohol as a means of escape from reality.