BY: JESSICA BEUKER

In a world where almost everyone is owned by their technology, thoughts of going completely off the grid start to creep into the mind. We zombie-walk through life on a leash, the other end tied around the hands of our smartphones, tablets and laptops. Over-saturation has left us with a yearning for simplicity – a thirst for mindfulness. Of course most of us don’t actually have the guts or will power to actually go off the grid. But perhaps Jill Redwood’s story will inspire those aching for the simple life to finally shed the technology shackles.

Jill Redwood has lived alone, off-grid for more than 30 years. In East Gippsland, Australia she built her home out of reused and recycled materials, including timber scraps and cow dung for the walls. For over 30 years Redwood has lived without electricity, running water, mobile reception or television.  Her one luxury – the Internet – is used only for freelance writing and for her work with Environment East Gippsland, a community group dedicated to protecting the area’s last ancient forest.

In East Gippsland, Australia she built her home out of reused and recycled materials, including timber scraps and cow dung for the walls.

For over 30 years Redwood has lived without electricity, running water, mobile reception or television.

According to Natural Homes, Redwood has over 60 animals that keep her company and a large garden that she uses as an organic supermarket. This allows her diet to remain completely free of all refined foods. Her home is equipped with a food storage area filled with pickles and preserves. She even makes her own apple juice.

Redwood grows all her own food allowing her diet to remain completely free of all refined foods.

Redwood has over 60 animals that keep her company and a large garden that she uses as an organic supermarket.

Redwood avoids supermarkets and stores, only going into town, which is about an hour-and-a-half away, when she absolutely has to – usually once every six months. Her self-sustaining efforts make if easy to live on $80 per week.

Her self-sustaining efforts make if easy to live on $80 per week.

Along with producing her own groceries, Redwood generates her own solar power using large solar panels set up around her house. She gets her water from a local creek, or else she uses rainwater that she has collected herself.

Redwood generates her own solar power using large solar panels set up around her house.

Redwood doesn’t believe in waste – almost everything she uses is composted, recycled or reused. The house and surrounding sheds are full of old 19th and 20th century items including tools, which she keeps “just in case.”

Redwood doesn’t believe in waste – almost everything she uses is composted, recycled or reused.

In the last few years going off the grid has become an idea that has planted itself in the minds of many. While there is no doubt that it would be difficult and challenging, Redwood makes life off-grid seem worth it. Besides being almost completely self-sustaining, she is peaceful, healthy and happy.

Source: trueactivist.com