I enjoyed reflecting on all this as I read your post. This year I did a values exercise and a big one for me is pleasure. Talking about luxury makes me think about that. One of my favorite luxuries is my workout app (Barre Definition). I love the way it makes me feel, inside and out. I also enjoy the quiet sunny mornings and rubbing my kitty's furry belly. Gratitude makes me realize there is so much goodness all around.
“Luxury.” That’s the word I used last Sunday when I told my husband I would love to have a coffeemaker with a timer on it so the coffee would be ready when I wake. I don’t need it; it’s a luxury.
But what a luxury, to have the coffee ready for you, Cassandra! I think it’s perfectly acceptable and even wise to try to meet some of our non-needs, too. We can choose to bring these luxuries into our lives with intentionality and care, then meet them with deep gratitude and take a generous spirit into the rest of our lives. 💚
Yes! Autonomy is a real luxury. And, a perfectly soft and heavy-ish zip up hoodie. It has to be zip up so I can quickly (and continuously) adjust to the temperature.
Ooh, I love both of these suggestions for ways to tap into luxury. I usually choose a cardigan over anything a zipper, but I agree, I have to be able to adjust continuously. :) Thanks for sharing, Mira!
Lori, I agree; we all need luxuries in our lives. One of my favorite luxuries is listening to spiritual teachings. It's really a necessity but I've let it go the last few weeks due to the busyness of life. I need to get back to it. I also miss seeing my two best friends who are on an extended vacation.
Sandra, I hope that by now your friends are back or will be soon. If not, I hope you can focus on bringing those necessary luxuries back into your life amidst the busyness. That paradox of necessary luxury just begs for our attention and intention.
I love this post, Lori, it reminds me that my luxuries are at hand, not expensive (mostly free), and all they require is my intention. I'm going to carve out more time in a nearby park. At least once a week I'll take my knitting to a cyber cafe (makes me feel subversive ;) ). I like the question that includes scrolling, people-pleasing and productivity imperatives. I'm sure I spend too much time on those things that I could better use on luxuries. For me.
Oh, Carol, I love that you’re subverting the cyber cafe!!! Our intentions make such a difference, and the beauty of intention is that it’s within our direct control. I appreciate the nudge to bring intentionality to my practice of everyday luxuries!
Here's to making space for the real luxuries! I've been doing a "three good things" daily gratitude journal, and the things I write down are often meals my spouse and I cook, time outdoors, and time with friends. I hadn't quite thought of these things as the real luxuries, but they are exactly that!
I enjoyed reflecting on all this as I read your post. This year I did a values exercise and a big one for me is pleasure. Talking about luxury makes me think about that. One of my favorite luxuries is my workout app (Barre Definition). I love the way it makes me feel, inside and out. I also enjoy the quiet sunny mornings and rubbing my kitty's furry belly. Gratitude makes me realize there is so much goodness all around.
“Luxury.” That’s the word I used last Sunday when I told my husband I would love to have a coffeemaker with a timer on it so the coffee would be ready when I wake. I don’t need it; it’s a luxury.
But what a luxury, to have the coffee ready for you, Cassandra! I think it’s perfectly acceptable and even wise to try to meet some of our non-needs, too. We can choose to bring these luxuries into our lives with intentionality and care, then meet them with deep gratitude and take a generous spirit into the rest of our lives. 💚
Yes! Autonomy is a real luxury. And, a perfectly soft and heavy-ish zip up hoodie. It has to be zip up so I can quickly (and continuously) adjust to the temperature.
Ooh, I love both of these suggestions for ways to tap into luxury. I usually choose a cardigan over anything a zipper, but I agree, I have to be able to adjust continuously. :) Thanks for sharing, Mira!
Lori, I agree; we all need luxuries in our lives. One of my favorite luxuries is listening to spiritual teachings. It's really a necessity but I've let it go the last few weeks due to the busyness of life. I need to get back to it. I also miss seeing my two best friends who are on an extended vacation.
Sandra, I hope that by now your friends are back or will be soon. If not, I hope you can focus on bringing those necessary luxuries back into your life amidst the busyness. That paradox of necessary luxury just begs for our attention and intention.
Lori, You surely have me thinking about this!
Very helpful approach to viewing luxury as a necessity!
Thanks, Gail! I hope you’re finding ways to bring luxury into your life.
I love this post, Lori, it reminds me that my luxuries are at hand, not expensive (mostly free), and all they require is my intention. I'm going to carve out more time in a nearby park. At least once a week I'll take my knitting to a cyber cafe (makes me feel subversive ;) ). I like the question that includes scrolling, people-pleasing and productivity imperatives. I'm sure I spend too much time on those things that I could better use on luxuries. For me.
Oh, Carol, I love that you’re subverting the cyber cafe!!! Our intentions make such a difference, and the beauty of intention is that it’s within our direct control. I appreciate the nudge to bring intentionality to my practice of everyday luxuries!
Here's to making space for the real luxuries! I've been doing a "three good things" daily gratitude journal, and the things I write down are often meals my spouse and I cook, time outdoors, and time with friends. I hadn't quite thought of these things as the real luxuries, but they are exactly that!
I agree, Liz, these are luxuries. And when I think of them that way, I feel my gratitude deepen even more! Thanks so much for sharing your experience!