Hello, how are you today? Welcome to Extra Healthy Ish, the big sister podcast to Healthy Ish. This podcast from Body and Soul gives you that little bit extra in your day for your mind, Body and Soul. I am your host of Felicity Harley auth and photographer Jody Wilson sold her belongings. She packed up her family of four into a caravan and traveled around Australia for two and a half years. In this episode, she chats through the importance of practicing simplicity, what she learned on her trip, and what she's brought into her life today and how her brave choices and small steps led to a life less distracted. She has a new book out. It is called Practicing Simplicity. Jodie, thank you so much for coming on Extra Healthy Ish. Now, how do you stay extra healthyish in your life? In simplistic Tazzy?

Hello, how are you today? Welcome to Extra Healthy Ish, the big sister podcast to Healthy Ish. This podcast from Body and Soul gives you that little bit extra in your day for your mind, Body and Soul. I am your host of Felicity Harley auth and photographer Jody Wilson sold her belongings. She packed up her family of four into a caravan and traveled around Australia for two and a half years. In this episode, she chats through the importance of practicing simplicity, what she learned on her trip, and what she's brought into her life today and how her brave choices and small steps led to a life less distracted. She has a new book out. It is called Practicing Simplicity. Jodie, thank you so much for coming on Extra Healthy Ish. Now, how do you stay extra healthyish in your life? In simplistic Tazzy?

Oh really good question.

Oh really good question.

So I'm a mom of four and I've learnt that I really need.

So I'm a mom of four and I've learnt that I really need.

To go to bed early. I need to get my sleep.

To go to bed early. I need to get my sleep.

After years of unsettled sleep. I really value my sleep. But I also makes you have to make sure I drink enough water. But in Tasmania there's a bit of a habit that a lot of people embrace, and that's collecting sea glass, which is very Tasmanian. But I actually find it such a really it's just a powerful meditation almost because I walk down to my local beach, which is quite there's a lot of volcanic rockets, quite rocky and rugged. And if I've spent all day writing and I've been in my head and I just go down to the beach and no matter the weather, I take my boots and my socks off and I plant my feet on the either very cold or quite warm sand, and I just kind of hunt for sea glass.

After years of unsettled sleep. I really value my sleep. But I also makes you have to make sure I drink enough water. But in Tasmania there's a bit of a habit that a lot of people embrace, and that's collecting sea glass, which is very Tasmanian. But I actually find it such a really it's just a powerful meditation almost because I walk down to my local beach, which is quite there's a lot of volcanic rockets, quite rocky and rugged. And if I've spent all day writing and I've been in my head and I just go down to the beach and no matter the weather, I take my boots and my socks off and I plant my feet on the either very cold or quite warm sand, and I just kind of hunt for sea glass.

And it's like this.

And it's like this.

In yoga, there's a thing called Japper meditation where you write perhaps on symbol, and you repeat it as you're writing and you just keep writing it. And so when im at the beach, it makes me think of that because I'm like rock leaf, rock shell, sand, rock, sea glass, and yeah, it's just a it's just a really nice habit that I've embraced. But I've also been swimming a lot, and the water in Tasmania is very rarely warm.

In yoga, there's a thing called Japper meditation where you write perhaps on symbol, and you repeat it as you're writing and you just keep writing it. And so when im at the beach, it makes me think of that because I'm like rock leaf, rock shell, sand, rock, sea glass, and yeah, it's just a it's just a really nice habit that I've embraced. But I've also been swimming a lot, and the water in Tasmania is very rarely warm.

Yes, it's so very cold, yeah.

Yes, it's so very cold, yeah.

And it's a it's I suppose a lot of people are doing it now, that cold water.

And it's a it's I suppose a lot of people are doing it now, that cold water.

Immersion the method.

Immersion the method.

Yeah, and I don't I wouldn't say that I've gone quite that deep into it. But something amazing about being in the ocean, and it just yeah, just invigorating, isn't it.

Yeah, and I don't I wouldn't say that I've gone quite that deep into it. But something amazing about being in the ocean, and it just yeah, just invigorating, isn't it.

It is?

It is?

And it just reshuffles my priorities and gives me perspective immediately.

And it just reshuffles my priorities and gives me perspective immediately.

Yeah. Absolutely. Now, also something else that perhaps gave you some perspective is your two and a half year trip around Australia. Why did you pack up, We'll sell your belonging to pack up your family, jump in a caravan and go.

Yeah. Absolutely. Now, also something else that perhaps gave you some perspective is your two and a half year trip around Australia. Why did you pack up, We'll sell your belonging to pack up your family, jump in a caravan and go.

It was a decision made on a whim, and I talk about that decision or a night that we made that decision in the opening of the book. But I just had this realization that we were in this golden pocket of time when our eldest was ten, our youngest was three months old, and I just knew that if I got to the end of my life and I hadn't done a trip in a caravan with my kids, I would regret it.

It was a decision made on a whim, and I talk about that decision or a night that we made that decision in the opening of the book. But I just had this realization that we were in this golden pocket of time when our eldest was ten, our youngest was three months old, and I just knew that if I got to the end of my life and I hadn't done a trip in a caravan with my kids, I would regret it.

And I also realized that if we didn't do it now, we would never do it.

And I also realized that if we didn't do it now, we would never do it.

So eight months after that decision was made on that night, and we'd never caravaned account for four We drove out of our suburban street. We packed up our three bedroom house. We'd sold eighty percent of what we owned, and we drove into a lifestyle we knew nothing about, literally dove in the deep end.

So eight months after that decision was made on that night, and we'd never caravaned account for four We drove out of our suburban street. We packed up our three bedroom house. We'd sold eighty percent of what we owned, and we drove into a lifestyle we knew nothing about, literally dove in the deep end.

But best decision we ever made.

But best decision we ever made.

And I mean, what was there a magical? I mean, I'd love to talk about so many different experiences you had on your trip, but is there one that particularly stands out as magical.

And I mean, what was there a magical? I mean, I'd love to talk about so many different experiences you had on your trip, but is there one that particularly stands out as magical.

There was a night when we were in Tasmania and we just discovered that our car needed some really serious and very expensive work done to it, and it felt really big at the time, and I stepped out of the caravan. It was midsummer, and in Tasmania the sun doesn't really set to nine pm. Were in this low cost camp and there was a lake and I looked up and there were these murmurations of starlings which and they were just flying as this shape shifting cloud as the sun was setting, and if you listened really closely, you could actually hear the kind of wallops of wind that their movement was making, and you could feel it and it was like this.

There was a night when we were in Tasmania and we just discovered that our car needed some really serious and very expensive work done to it, and it felt really big at the time, and I stepped out of the caravan. It was midsummer, and in Tasmania the sun doesn't really set to nine pm. Were in this low cost camp and there was a lake and I looked up and there were these murmurations of starlings which and they were just flying as this shape shifting cloud as the sun was setting, and if you listened really closely, you could actually hear the kind of wallops of wind that their movement was making, and you could feel it and it was like this.

I describe it as.

I describe it as.

A moment of awe that really reiterated why we were traveling and why we were where we were, and that despite all the challenges that we were having, they didn't really matter in the scheme of things. And it just I still can feel that that feeling that I experienced that night when I watched them. It was just, Yeah, one of those images that I'll never never forget.

A moment of awe that really reiterated why we were traveling and why we were where we were, and that despite all the challenges that we were having, they didn't really matter in the scheme of things. And it just I still can feel that that feeling that I experienced that night when I watched them. It was just, Yeah, one of those images that I'll never never forget.

Such a wonderful feeling or when you and it's something you you always remember when you you know, whether you're standing out of a mountain or and it's always nature, isn't it somehow?

Such a wonderful feeling or when you and it's something you you always remember when you you know, whether you're standing out of a mountain or and it's always nature, isn't it somehow?

Always Yeah, And it's perspective because I think when you step into those moments of awe and you know, you realize that you can't control things, you can't control the incoming tide, you can't plan to see murmurations of stylings, and it just they just help kind of squash your small worries, those small inconsequential worries that we all carry in this day to day life. And yeah, that's why stepping into nature is always worthwhile, because it reminds you what matters.

Always Yeah, And it's perspective because I think when you step into those moments of awe and you know, you realize that you can't control things, you can't control the incoming tide, you can't plan to see murmurations of stylings, and it just they just help kind of squash your small worries, those small inconsequential worries that we all carry in this day to day life. And yeah, that's why stepping into nature is always worthwhile, because it reminds you what matters.

Yeah. Absolutely will be back after this short break with more from Jodie. Now, I mean on this trip you, I mean, you obviously were into practicing simplicity. I suppose before this, what did it change when you're on the trip or how did this kind of evolve your you know, simplistic life so to speak.

Yeah. Absolutely will be back after this short break with more from Jodie. Now, I mean on this trip you, I mean, you obviously were into practicing simplicity. I suppose before this, what did it change when you're on the trip or how did this kind of evolve your you know, simplistic life so to speak.

I think I'd always loved the idea of living with less, but there's only so much less you can live with when you've got four children. And I was realistic about that, but I was quite excited by the boundaries of a caravan, and they were very firm boundaries because everything that we carried with us needed to be considered for its size, its weight, and its purpose. So everything that we carried with us was an absolute essential. And it was like it was not easy getting off and heading off and getting rid of all our stuff because we wanted to do it mindfully or as mindfully as we could.

I think I'd always loved the idea of living with less, but there's only so much less you can live with when you've got four children. And I was realistic about that, but I was quite excited by the boundaries of a caravan, and they were very firm boundaries because everything that we carried with us needed to be considered for its size, its weight, and its purpose. So everything that we carried with us was an absolute essential. And it was like it was not easy getting off and heading off and getting rid of all our stuff because we wanted to do it mindfully or as mindfully as we could.

But yeah, it just really helped me realize that.

But yeah, it just really helped me realize that.

Why did I need a kitchen full of utensils and gadgets and plates and pots if really we could eat really well every single day with one frying pan and two saucepans and a plate for each of us, in a bowl for each of us, and if something broke, we just popped into the option to find a replacement. So it really allowed me to focus on what was essential and what was necessary. And I think when you focus on what is necessary, the unnecessary slips away.

Why did I need a kitchen full of utensils and gadgets and plates and pots if really we could eat really well every single day with one frying pan and two saucepans and a plate for each of us, in a bowl for each of us, and if something broke, we just popped into the option to find a replacement. So it really allowed me to focus on what was essential and what was necessary. And I think when you focus on what is necessary, the unnecessary slips away.

So have you managed to hold on to that, you know, one plate, one two pots kind of thing now that you're back in real life.

So have you managed to hold on to that, you know, one plate, one two pots kind of thing now that you're back in real life.

Yes, I think we're doing really well. We've only sourced apart from our bed and mattress, we've only sourced secondhand furniture, and that's required an enormous amount of patients that we were without a couch for seven months.

Yes, I think we're doing really well. We've only sourced apart from our bed and mattress, we've only sourced secondhand furniture, and that's required an enormous amount of patients that we were without a couch for seven months.

Oh wow.

Oh wow.

Yeah, because you know, you can choose to spend three thousand dollars on a couch, but then shipping to Tasmania is really expensive and so weighing all that up. Yeah, definitely minimal, but also choosing to keep things because they're valuable and because we use them and not throwing them away even though we might have two of them, because there's six of us and we need to use it and it's yeah, and I keep all the winter coats because chances are the next get in line is going to need that.

Yeah, because you know, you can choose to spend three thousand dollars on a couch, but then shipping to Tasmania is really expensive and so weighing all that up. Yeah, definitely minimal, but also choosing to keep things because they're valuable and because we use them and not throwing them away even though we might have two of them, because there's six of us and we need to use it and it's yeah, and I keep all the winter coats because chances are the next get in line is going to need that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And how have you I mean, now you're back in the world, how do you live a life less distracted, and how can we all listeners, you know, embrace more of this simplistic living in their life.

And how have you I mean, now you're back in the world, how do you live a life less distracted, and how can we all listeners, you know, embrace more of this simplistic living in their life.

So my children don't do any extra curricular activities because I really value that time when they come home from school as really valuable free play time because I saw the benefit of free play and the learning that happens when we're on the road. And also their school doesn't agree with homework, and it's a public school, so I really really grateful for that as well. But I also I just don't make a lot of plans, and I just yeah, there's a beautiful picture book called The Day We Have No Plans by Jane Godwin, and that's kind of my that's my guide in terms of, like, our plans can be really restrictive, and I love the spontaneity of going where we want to go whenever we want to do that. And yeah, I just I also work freelance, so I feel like there is that fluidity there. But yeah, I just don't I suppose I don't adhere to a lot of social rules in that regard always respected, but it works for us and it works for our family, and it means I think that's really important. Just kind of honoring what is important to you and kind of looking after your family. And perhaps that's especially pertinent in this day and age when we're making decisions about going to big social events, when we're making decisions about whether we host something inside or if we choose to gather outside instead. It's yeah, And I think I think a lot of the time people are respectful of the choices that you make because they can see that they're the right ones for you.

So my children don't do any extra curricular activities because I really value that time when they come home from school as really valuable free play time because I saw the benefit of free play and the learning that happens when we're on the road. And also their school doesn't agree with homework, and it's a public school, so I really really grateful for that as well. But I also I just don't make a lot of plans, and I just yeah, there's a beautiful picture book called The Day We Have No Plans by Jane Godwin, and that's kind of my that's my guide in terms of, like, our plans can be really restrictive, and I love the spontaneity of going where we want to go whenever we want to do that. And yeah, I just I also work freelance, so I feel like there is that fluidity there. But yeah, I just don't I suppose I don't adhere to a lot of social rules in that regard always respected, but it works for us and it works for our family, and it means I think that's really important. Just kind of honoring what is important to you and kind of looking after your family. And perhaps that's especially pertinent in this day and age when we're making decisions about going to big social events, when we're making decisions about whether we host something inside or if we choose to gather outside instead. It's yeah, And I think I think a lot of the time people are respectful of the choices that you make because they can see that they're the right ones for you.

And I think many of us are becoming more comfortable in making those decisions and saying no, aren't we, And which I think is wonderful because there's many times where I'm sure, well I know and listeners have said yes to things when really they just want to say no. So perhaps we're being a bit stricter about our boundaries. No, that doesn't work for me. I don't feel comfortable if I go to that social event or whatever whatever it is, and.

And I think many of us are becoming more comfortable in making those decisions and saying no, aren't we, And which I think is wonderful because there's many times where I'm sure, well I know and listeners have said yes to things when really they just want to say no. So perhaps we're being a bit stricter about our boundaries. No, that doesn't work for me. I don't feel comfortable if I go to that social event or whatever whatever it is, and.

It's you know, prioritizing rest, Like I know, I'm useless if I'm exhausted, and if I'm exhausted, then I become more anxious, and it's just this spiral and it doesn't benefit anyone, especially my family. So but I also believe there's a fine line. You know, distraction is twofold like distraction is where we find our creep creativity, and we can go to nature to get distracted and to remind us what matters, or we can choose out to get distracted in our phones and we just end up in this spiral of you know, scrolling that really isn't good for us mentally, physically, emotionally.

It's you know, prioritizing rest, Like I know, I'm useless if I'm exhausted, and if I'm exhausted, then I become more anxious, and it's just this spiral and it doesn't benefit anyone, especially my family. So but I also believe there's a fine line. You know, distraction is twofold like distraction is where we find our creep creativity, and we can go to nature to get distracted and to remind us what matters, or we can choose out to get distracted in our phones and we just end up in this spiral of you know, scrolling that really isn't good for us mentally, physically, emotionally.

Will you talk a bit about that in your book? Don't you a lot of social media because it's too far. We need it in many ways, you know, to sell books, to sell these podcasts, to drive businesses, to keep us plugged in, you know, to people that we want to see. But on the flip side, you're right, it is distraction. It does take away from that simplistic living. How do you resist, well, how do you manage your social media and resist the lure of it?

Will you talk a bit about that in your book? Don't you a lot of social media because it's too far. We need it in many ways, you know, to sell books, to sell these podcasts, to drive businesses, to keep us plugged in, you know, to people that we want to see. But on the flip side, you're right, it is distraction. It does take away from that simplistic living. How do you resist, well, how do you manage your social media and resist the lure of it?

I follow people.

I follow people.

That are gardeners and and writers, so that I'm constantly inspired to actually get off the phone and to do the gardening.

That are gardeners and and writers, so that I'm constantly inspired to actually get off the phone and to do the gardening.

And the writing.

And the writing.

But I also also I think it's important to stay really awake and aware to like the country's politics, because we can't live a mindful life if we're not aware of the importance of systematic change, and so I use it as a as a driver of information.

But I also also I think it's important to stay really awake and aware to like the country's politics, because we can't live a mindful life if we're not aware of the importance of systematic change, and so I use it as a as a driver of information.

That's where I get my news.

That's where I get my news.

But I also understand that it also affects the way my brain works, and that if I'm constantly just reading punchy dot points, I'm not really getting into the grid of a good essay or a good novel.

But I also understand that it also affects the way my brain works, and that if I'm constantly just reading punchy dot points, I'm not really getting into the grid of a good essay or a good novel.

So yeah, the g of a topic or something that's actually.

So yeah, the g of a topic or something that's actually.

Going on exactly. So I also read prolifically as well. But I also follow there's an amazing, amazing book subscription service called well Read, and it's the highlight of my month. I get that every month a new novel in the mail. But she also puts me into some really good literature. Contemporary literature is an amazing way of getting off screens, just immersing yourself in paper pages.

Going on exactly. So I also read prolifically as well. But I also follow there's an amazing, amazing book subscription service called well Read, and it's the highlight of my month. I get that every month a new novel in the mail. But she also puts me into some really good literature. Contemporary literature is an amazing way of getting off screens, just immersing yourself in paper pages.

There's something really special about.

There's something really special about.

Oh yeah, I don't worry. You're talking to a fellow book lover. My next question is what are the simple joys in your life today? Now I assume reading.

Oh yeah, I don't worry. You're talking to a fellow book lover. My next question is what are the simple joys in your life today? Now I assume reading.

Reading is one of them.

Reading is one of them.

And a dream of mine has just come true, and that we have just purchased our very first family home. Congratulations, thank you, And it was as it is for anyone trying to purchase their first time these days.

And a dream of mine has just come true, and that we have just purchased our very first family home. Congratulations, thank you, And it was as it is for anyone trying to purchase their first time these days.

It was not without a lot of struggle, but yeah.

It was not without a lot of struggle, but yeah.

Just the opportunity to plant herbs and vegetables and flowers is an incredibly simple joy. And to be able to walk into town without hopping in the car, that was a decision we made very consciously because we loved doing that on the road when we were parked in.

Just the opportunity to plant herbs and vegetables and flowers is an incredibly simple joy. And to be able to walk into town without hopping in the car, that was a decision we made very consciously because we loved doing that on the road when we were parked in.

A town in the van and we could just walk everywhere.

A town in the van and we could just walk everywhere.

Ocean swimming, a good cup of tea in the morning. I've just discovered on Celiac, so I'm kind of embracing eating a lot more vegetable and saying farewell.

Ocean swimming, a good cup of tea in the morning. I've just discovered on Celiac, so I'm kind of embracing eating a lot more vegetable and saying farewell.

To growing your own. You're selling the chazzy life, Jody.

To growing your own. You're selling the chazzy life, Jody.

I know people tell me this coming.

I know people tell me this coming.

Oh no, well, it was lovely to chat and congratulations on your book again and thank you for joining us on Extra Healthy Ish.

Oh no, well, it was lovely to chat and congratulations on your book again and thank you for joining us on Extra Healthy Ish.

Thanks Felicity.

Thanks Felicity.

That chat with Jody just made me feel I went from feeling quite chaotic in my morning to very calm, So I hope you enjoyed it. Her book is called Practicing Simplicity, and it is full of information and tips about small steps you can make to live a life less distracted. If you want more from us to remember extra healthy UHL, we published a new episode for your wonderfully healthy and relaxed years every morning Monday to Thursday. For more, head to bodyansoul dot com dot you. You can join the conversation of I, Body and Soul on Instagram or Facebook. Make sure you check out it is on YouTube A Body and Soul TV. Thanks for listening to this chat with A Jody and if you have a moment, we'd be so grateful if you could rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast. And until tomorrow, stay extra healthy ish

That chat with Jody just made me feel I went from feeling quite chaotic in my morning to very calm, So I hope you enjoyed it. Her book is called Practicing Simplicity, and it is full of information and tips about small steps you can make to live a life less distracted. If you want more from us to remember extra healthy UHL, we published a new episode for your wonderfully healthy and relaxed years every morning Monday to Thursday. For more, head to bodyansoul dot com dot you. You can join the conversation of I, Body and Soul on Instagram or Facebook. Make sure you check out it is on YouTube A Body and Soul TV. Thanks for listening to this chat with A Jody and if you have a moment, we'd be so grateful if you could rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast. And until tomorrow, stay extra healthy ish