We’re sharing simple ways to live a luxurious life today.
Shortly after my Granny passed away, I was going through some of the jewelry and letters that had been gifted to me.
Savoring these items always makes me feel close to her even though she’s been gone for a few years now.
I miss her dearly.
One day, while trying to close her jewelry box one of the hinges caught, and the contents scattered all over the floor.
As I was cleaning up, I discovered an emerald stone lodged in the lining of the box.
Truthfully, it looked like a stone had fallen out of one of her brooches.
I didn’t want to keep something that wasn’t meant to be mine though.
So, I immediately sent a picture of the stone to my Mom and asked if she wanted it back.
Several years later, I received that stone in an emerald ring to commemorate a milestone birthday and I’ve been wildly sentimental about the piece ever since.
While I wear the ring nearly every day at home, I rarely wear it when I’m out.
Recently though, I was attending an event with a group of acquaintances and friends when one of them commented on the ring.
“That ring is so big, it looks fake,” she said with disdain dripping from her voice. “No one would ever believe that someone like you could afford a ring like that,” she continued.
I can’t even begin to describe how much her comment caught me off guard.
I was literally gobsmacked at her level of shameless disrespect.
But I can’t say that’s the only time I felt that way.
Years ago, I was at a blogging conference when a blogger I adored talked about “poor people” who made their own business cards. Guess who was sporting homemade business cards that day? Me.
A year later at the same conference, several people at our dinner table were laughing about “losers” who wore thrifted J.Crew. Guess who was wearing a thrifted J.Crew cardigan that night? Me.
I freely admit the comment about the ring stung at first.
It literally brought tears to my eyes.
While I try not to dwell on rude or unkind comments, I must admit, all the way home I thought about how some people have been conditioned to strictly think of wealth as big houses, luxury labels, extravagant vacations, fancy cars, and flashy influence.
Make no mistake, there’s nothing wrong with those things if they’re important to you.
But I want you to remember no matter your current circ*mstances or your upbringing, you have the power to define and create a luxurious life.
You don’t need anyone’s permission but your own.
As I’ve shared many times wealth to me is simple pleasures, ease of worship, spending time as I wish, having financial stability, living in a home I love, eating foods that nourish my body, access to quality healthcare, clothes that make me feel confident, a strong support system, and a gift of writing that connects me to you.
Everything else is extra.
Over the years, we’ve been delightfully intentional about incorporating inexpensive simple pleasures into our lives.
So, I wanted to share them in case you’re looking for fresh ways to live a more luxurious life too.
Here’s a look at simple ways to live a luxurious life, even on a budget…
- Buy the best quality you can afford
- Find easy ways to elevate the everyday
- Learn the art of food presentation
- Keep your house clean and tidy
- Declutter
- Clean out, vacuum, and wash your car or pay to have it detailed if you’re short on time
- Nourish your body with healthy food choices
- Stay hydrated
- Prioritize sleep
- Practice self-care daily
- Develop an attitude of gratitude
- Find a workout routine that excites you
- Send letters on monogrammed stationery
- Listen to classical music or curate a playlist that makes you happy
- Spend time in nature
- Curl up with a good book
- Serve coffee from a French Press
- Use “the good stuff” now
- Drink your coffee from a bistro cup, and your tea from a teacup
- Set the table
- Use silver trays, spoon rests, knife rests, butter pats, real napkins, and water carafes with meals
- Chill your champagne
- Buy fresh flowers and herbs
- Take a cooking, art, pottery, calligraphy, embroidery, floral arranging, or photography class
- Learn a new language
- Educate yourself on things you’re curious about
- Wear clothes and accessories you feel confident in
- Find a signature perfume, lipstick, nail polish, or style
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase
- Try linen sheets
- Elevate your shower and bath experience
- Invest in skincare
- Savor the moments you have with family and friends
- Raise your standards
- Choose to live in excellence
- Present yourself the way you wish to be seen (don’t make yourself small for the sake of others)
- Become financially literate (check to see if your bank offers any free classes)
- Develop a healthy money mindset
- Learn how to build wealth
- Be generous with your time
- Keep your word to yourself and others
- Love lavishly
- Eliminate things that no longer serve you well
- Meet friends at a swanky hotel for drinks or at a new coffeehouse for coffee
- Attend the symphony or a summer concert series, linger at an art gallery or museum, a farmer’s market, bakery, bistro, chocolatier, home tour or garden show, marvel at the planetarium, visit the zoo or the botanical gardens, and utilize the services at your local library
- Travel as much as you can
- Make your weekends count
- Stop waiting for “someday”
Creating a more luxurious life starts by defining what luxury means to you.
Once you know those standards, you can start incorporating simple pleasures and little luxuries into your days until you’ve transformed your life.
One of my favorite quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt says, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” and as I type this post in my ripped Walmart jeans and J,Crew sweatshirt, wearing a sentimental emerald ring while listening to Mozart I’m reminded we have the power to choose the kind of luxurious life we want to live.
So, whether you try one thing on this list or 47, I hope you’ll remember kindness, respect, and grace are free to us all.
Cheering you on as you create a life you love!
Many blessings,
CoCo
