- Tell us a about yourself, your family, and the inspiration behind your book Practising Simplicity.
I’m a writer, photographer, yoga teacher and mother of four. In 2018 my partner and I sold 80 per cent of our belongings, spent our hard-earned house deposit on a 4WD and a caravan and hit the road. We ended up spending 2.5 years travelling; a life-changing adventure that changed everything for us. My book is the story of that journey; the leap of faith, working through my fear and the eventual grounding I experienced by spending 10+ hours a day in nature. It also details my experience of slowing down and living with less which prompted me to really consider what we need to live well.
- In your book you talk about living with less and what we do need to live well. How does someone break that cycle of working to accumulate and ‘keeping up with the Jones’? And what do we really need to live well?
A really practical way to practise simplicity is to weigh up the time you spend working for the things you may not need. On the road we only carried the essentials with us – every item needed to be considered for its size, weight and purpose. Everything had to earn its keep. We’ve always purchased second-hand over new but on the road we stopped accruing things for the simple fact that we didn’t have space for them. We didn’t have to work for the things we didn’t need which consequently gave us an abundance of free time. I think living well is getting enough sleep, eating good food, going into nature and being awed by huge trees, deep oceans…the exquisite, perfect detail of leaves and petals and life. Keeping up with the Jones’ is a way of life that means you’re constantly chasing. Perhaps it’s time to slow down, ask yourself what really matters and then make those things a priority.
- What are small changes we can make each day to help simplify our life?
Be conscious of where you shop and what you buy (and perhaps most importantly, what you choose NOT to buy), use up all the food in your fridge before you purchase more, get into nature because it reminds you what matters (barefoot on the grass, an ocean swim, standing in your suburban yard and looking up at the night sky, planting herbs in pots, visit your local community garden), prioritise rest, say no to social obligations if you feel you need a break.
- Many people are feeling isolated and burnt out from their workplace, life etc. The pandemic seems have exacerbated these feelings and we keep hearing about the ‘Great Resignation’. Do you think we will see a fundamental shift in general – where people chose a simpler path and focus less on work taking precedent in life and accumulating things?
When you choose uncertainty, or when uncertainty comes hurtling into your life unexpectedly, I think you naturally prioritise what’s important. You find yourself mulling over what really, truly matters. I think that shift is already occurring, but I also think we live in a consumerist society; it takes conscious effort to step off that path. As I write in the book: “There isn’t one clear-cut path to living simply, but by starting with the small things we do each day, we come to realise that change is simply about choice…and I think it starts with choosing to care.”
- How did you manage in a caravan for three years with four kids?
Easily, it’s a great way to live and I spent very little time cleaning.
- What were your favourite places you visited? What are your must-see destinations from your experience?
We never set off to see places or tick things off the list. It was just about spending time with our kids before their childhood evaporated in school bells and lost lunchbox lids. That said, our 10 days at Uluru were unlike any other. South Australia is an exquisite state of contrast – desert and sea, a vibrant city, and the quirkiest small towns. But Tasmania is where we found the freshest air and the clearest water, the slow pace, and distinct seasons that we love. That’s why we now call it home.
- Many of us do not have the option to pack up and leave our normal world behind. What advice would you give to these people to simplify their current life and possibly work towards a different way of living?
As the imitable Annie Dillard says: how we spend our days is how we spent our lives. Grand change and adventure aren’t necessary but slowly changing your daily habits and rituals can really shift your life experience. I think this has been incredibly pertinent in the pandemic; we’ve worked out what matters to us, what brings us joy, what we need to live well (early nights, weekends with no plans, less obligation and more choice). Generally, I think we’re more understanding of each other’s choices, too. And if anything, this collective uncertainty has emphasised the fact that all we can really do is focus on today which ultimately forces us to live in the present moment without thinking too much about what’s to come. My advice: make the choices that feel right for you. Practising simplicity is about letting go of expectation and making mental space so you can start where you are, with what you have.
- After a few years on the road what is it like to be back? What experiences did you bring back from your travels that have helped you keep life simple now you are home?
We actually chose to settle in a new state. Living so well with so little meant we could no longer justify returning to our original home on the NSW central coast because of the exorbitant cost of housing. Instead, we’ve opted to settle in a little town in Tasmania where the slow pace, affordable house prices and distinct seasons allow us to live in a way that feels right and true. It hasn’t been without sacrifice, but it definitely feels like the best place for us to be.
Images from Practicing Simplicity by Jodi Wilson, photography by Jodi Wilson. Murdoch Books RRP $32.99.
First printed in ele HOME Magazine Issue 5
Want more? Click here for Meet artist Kimmy Hogan
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