Writer Turns ITV Eco-Hero Finalist !

[Tracey Smith]

This could be a tale of cautionary madness, or inspiration, depending upon how you look at it!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I write about Downshifting and Sustainable Living and pride myself for holding onto the work/life balance, but last week, everything went completely to pot.....

Following my own downshift in 2002, I decided to niche on these broad subjects and have enjoyed plodding along, freelancing in the UK and abroad, hopefully helping people find their slow, green groove.

Addressing common questions that kept popping up from my readers, I put together an awareness campaign called National Downshifting Week; last year saw its launch.

I toured the UK, turned the tables by giving interviews for a change (radio was my favourite, ideal for this charity shop chick) and it was probably the most inspirational 20 days of my life. Unpaid mind you.... The tour was a labour of love but I had no regrets.

This year, I have decided to take this 'Back to Basics' project to a super-consumer nation - America. A founded decision, if a little bit of an ambitious task, but I have never been one to bow to a challenge.

So, there I was, easing through last week, when I took a call from an ITV news producer. For my work promoting sustainable living, I found myself a finalist for Britain's Eco-Hero Awards......

(The lovely) Mark Austin and a film crew came down soon after and captured a snapshot of what, why and where I do it....all utter madness....telly really is quite mad.

I usually have an upbeat retort for any situation, but my brain and mouth went on strike when the pinacle of pressure arrived, as Mr Austin interviewed me, whilst being interviewed by my local radio station ........no pressure at all........!

Anyway, it was fun, quite bonkers and in truth, I am probably more delighted to be the other side of it and back doing what I love the most, writing about 'Slow Down and Green Up'.

The film is due to air on Mon, Tue or Wed next week (they wait for a quiet news day and slip it in to the schedule). If you are interested in simple, green living, I hope you have a chance to catch it.

That's it - trumpet blown........time for a cup of tea...

[Shirley]

Tracey - that is fantastic -

We'll definitely be watching out for it on telly next week....

[Tracey Smith]

Cheers Shirley - I hope to God they found something coherent to put in it!

One interesting thing......the other 4 finalists are blokes.......so I am flying the flag for all we self-sufficient chicks!



Rock On Ladies!

[Shirley]

YAY - you go girl!!!!

Can we vote somewhere?????

[Tracey Smith]

No - they have a panel who selected us as finalists and they make the ultimate decision, sometime towards the end of April.

Far as I know, it's Anita Rodick, Zac Goldsmith .... not sure about the others, but think there's 4 or 5 in total....

Fingers crossed instead

[Shirley]

firmly crossed!! Will watch out for you.

Just off to mention NDW on the iVillage boards. It's a brilliant way to encourage people to do their bit.

[Tracey Smith]

.....if anyone is interested in helping spreading the news about the awareness campaign, National Downshifting Week, I wouldn't say no to a hand!

I am a one woman army on a mission to get the world on the right, green track!

Ask Andy Hamilton - we met last year and he knows I'm not barking mad (well, not completely anyway...).

If anyone can display this button anywhere, I would be very grateful - many thanks in advance for anything you guys can do.



Please link it to http://www.DownshiftingWeek.com

Cheers all!

[Tracey Smith]

...ah thanks for your encouragement Shirley!

We must have been posting at the same time there....!

[Andy Hamilton]

.....if anyone is interested in helping spreading the news about the awareness campaign, National Downshifting Week, I wouldn't say no to a hand!

I am a one woman army on a mission to get the world on the right, green track!

Ask Andy Hamilton - we met last year and he knows I'm not barking mad (well, not completely anyway...).

I did have to catch my breath with this mass of energy and excitment sitting next to me

Sounds like a great honour Tracey, you must be very proud to have gotten just this far.

- to keep some of the members that have not heard of Tracey on here before she was once a moderator until her mission took her away. Cheers Tracey god to see you on here again.

[Tracey Smith]

...hiya and thanks Andy, good to be back and to 'see' you again too.

I have just been trawling your site - good grief, you haven't been sitting still either!

This place looks fantastic and Shiney is always nagging me to get on and put something in here.

Holding onto a work and life balance, especially when you love something with such a passion, is so hard and I just had to pull back from a few things and concentrate on the necessary stuff....

....however, I promise to try and nip in more often - incidentally, we must meet for our yearly eco-munch in Bath during my tour for NDW in April - what do you say bloke

Hope to see you soon,

[Andy Hamilton]

....however, I promise to try and nip in more often - incidentally, we must meet for our yearly eco-munch in Bath during my tour for NDW in April - what do you say bloke

Hope to see you soon,

Have a look at where I live not Tracey.....you have missed a lot Yes meeting up in Bristol would be good though.

[Tracey Smith]

... sorry Andy....you are right, I barely know where I live mate!

Bristol it is...we must meet up with Shiney too and have an organic refreshment - you still got that home brew?

[Millymollymandy]

Hi Tracey. What is the programme called and any idea what time it will be on? Would love to see it.

How are you finding life back in the UK after living in France?

[Tracey Smith]

Hi MMM - good to see you,

It's going out on the 10.30pm national ITV news on Mon, Tue of Wed of next week.

To be honest, life is not very different here at all - we brought back all the lovely babits we enjoyed so much in France and this is a tiny village just the same as we used to live in. One shop, tiny school, church - that's it! In fact thinking about it, St Aubin had a post office, garage, petrol station and restaurant as well....

Probably the most poignant 'nugget' I picked up from my time there, talking and writing on the broad subject and from the many people I have spoken to about 'downshifting abroad' is that if you are running away from a situation you prefer not to face, it will eventually catch up with you and often bites harder than you ever imagined. It is best to leave the UK with a clean slate, not one that you want to clean once you get over there......

Also, the things you think you will find in a utopian downshift abroad, can often be found in your own four UK walls with a little 'Slow Down, Green Up'.... Stress continues to be one of our country's greatest problems and many do see downshifting abroad as a way out.... That's one expensive get well pill! My advice, get started on your own personal journey to find a slow, green groove and see how you get on. You might just find changes to your routine, radical in some cases, could unlock the secrets to a happier disposition.

Blimey, that was a bit deep for 9am on a Friday!!!

Am off for tea and toast....

[Millymollymandy]

I'll set up the video - it's a bit late for me! Glad all is well back in the UK. I'd consider it too but need to win a few hundred thousand quid on the lotto to be able to afford the same sort of property there!

Never mind. I'll think of you eating all that curry and chinese