Before we asked ourselves this question back in 2020 we were thinking that we needed a lot. A trip to Argentina to walk the famous W-trek for example. A trek we didn’t do in the end, but walking, that, we did!
A map of the world
In a world dominated by consumption, it is logical to think you need a lot. As a thriving economy equals growth, and money seems to be the main measurement for success, it is normal to wish for something bigger, better or more exciting than you already have.
Julien had a map of the world indicating all the countries he already visited. I had a closet full of clothes and shoes and started a new hobby every 6 month. We were both quiet happy. And at the same time searching, was this what we really wanted?
What do we really need in order to be content, to feel purpose, joy and fulfillment? When Covid hit, and life suddenly came to a stop, our holiday to Argentina was canceled. There was no new hobby to explore nor opportunities to drink wine with friends. Just a sea of time to reflect on this question.
We tried meditation, had a deep dive into the climate crisis and read Satish Kumar. While working in the communal garden, we studied permaculture and we started making mind maps of possible other lives to live. We decided we needed a hard cut to see what else was there.
Walking
After resigning from our jobs we started volunteering on a permaculture farm in the Netherlands (WWOOF) and then left for a long distance path, the GR5. We walked more than 4 months in nature, across Europe. Carrying the bare minimum to be able to walk, sleep, eat and read in all weather conditions. We had a lot of rain, shimmering hot days and freezing nights.
Human-Nature connectedness (the extent to which humans see themselves as part of nature) is strong when you are most of the time outdoors. Nature was surrounding and embracing us : when we settled in the forest for the night, and watched a curious squirrel and mouse peaking to see who entered their habitat ; or when we woke up in the early morning to gaze at the majestic Mont Blanc lighting up in the first sunlight. Julien even got a whole new understanding of time and distance while he was walking for days towards the mountain range of his youth.
And also: we searched for water to set our camp but found only dried lakes and wells. Some forest were closed, too dangerous to walk through due to the bark beetle and caterpillars. We crossed enormous empty ski-resorts, taking up half of a natural park. We saw the beauty and the pain.
What do we really need?
What do we really need? For us it was clear after the GR5, we needed way less than we thought to have a good life. This resulted in buying something way bigger than we had before. The irony!
As we were captured by the permaculture movement, and done with the idea that what you do as an individual will not make a difference, we started Le nouveau printemps. Luckily, it is exactly what we needed. There is connection with Nature, our guests, with the neighbors and our valley. Sharing the house brings the world to our table. There is so much purpose and joy to find in the garden, the permaculture movement and in dedicating a large chunk of our time to Earth. It is not all sunshine and roses, it never is. But we have all we need and more than enough.
“Long before there were markets, before there were stocks, before there were banks, there was the land, the river, the sun. And wealth was the abundance of the Earth. It was the song of the harvest, the hands that tilled the soil, it was the joy of enough.”
Extract from A poetic provocation, Ashanti Kunene – (worthwhile to watch!)