In a world saturated with possessions and endless digital scrolls, the concept of 'enough' feels increasingly radical. Health journalist Jodi Wilson explores this counter-cultural idea after a personal decade-long journey from overwhelming excess to intentional simplicity.
The Caravan Catalyst: Selling 80% to Find the Essentials
A pivotal moment arrived ten years ago when eight promotional packages landed on Jodi Wilson's doorstep. The sheer volume of 'stuff' and the accompanying obligation sparked a profound sense of disgust. This catalysed a dramatic lifestyle overhaul a few years later, when Wilson and her partner sold 80% of their belongings and moved into a caravan with their four children for a two-year road trip.
This act of subtraction, she explains, was about stripping away the superfluous to uncover the essentials—the things that truly matter. She defines this state as 'enoughness': a practice of taking only what you need and leaving the rest, which stands in stark contrast to our consumer-driven culture.
The Neurological Battle Against Abundance
After settling in rural Lutruwita/Tasmania, a common question emerged: how had she prevented life from 'filling back up'? Wilson points to a fundamental neurological conflict. Simplicity is a radical choice because it contradicts our primal, scarcity-driven instincts, which urge us to acquire for fear of lack.
"We’re gorging on food, stuff and the infinite scroll of information," she writes, leading to a brain that feels overwhelmed and exhausted. This manifests as too many mental tabs open, relentless obligations, and the pervasive pressure to 'keep up'.
Practical 'Enoughness' in a Three-Bedroom House
Wilson admits that living simply is more straightforward in a caravan where every item must have purpose. In a conventional home, the challenge is greater, with life often defined by odd socks and overflowing laundry baskets. She acknowledges the 'bowerbird' tendencies of her children and accepts that the 'work of life is also the proof of life'.
However, she advocates using 'enoughness' as a lens for daily decision-making to combat widespread decision fatigue. This prompts small but significant shifts in consumption habits and how we spend our time and energy.
Embracing Vitality Over Fleeting Dopamine
Wilson doesn't advocate for austerity but highlights the often-overlooked burden of ownership—the obligations and work required to sustain it. She references the root of the word 'thrift' being 'thrive', and finds a quiet joy in mending, growing, and borrowing.
Citing writer Andrew Solomon, she notes: "The opposite of depression is not happiness, it’s vitality." This vitality can be nurtured by normalising simple acts: repeating outfits, buying pre-loved, using all the food in the fridge, weekly library trips, gardening, and rest.
Ultimately, Wilson's decade of practice shows that when you subtract what you can, you create essential breathing space. Her new book, 'A Brain That Breathes: Essential habits for an overwhelming world', expands on these themes, offering a guide to finding sufficiency in an age of excess.
