Make Life Luxurious–Without the Complication
It’s a common saying that integrity is doing the right thing when no one’s there to notice. In that same vein, I think that luxury might be enjoying impressive things when no one is around to notice.
Do you ever:
Save your best new shirt for an important occasion?
Pull out your stylish glassware only for company?
Wear your nice PJs for when you might be seen?
Use your moleskin only for out-and-about brainstorming?
Own guest towels that are way nicer than the ones you use on a daily basis?
A Little Luxury Goes a Long Way
Consider switching your routines up and save your best luxuries for the privacy of your own home, on your own time. It doesn’t take any extra money, so no worries about blowing your disposable income for the month on a whim. And it doesn’t take any time out of your life either. Enjoying your pre-existing treats on your own time is about the least complicated way to make your life luxurious without any complication. It’s really just a matter of chucking self-imposed limitations out the window.
The hardest part, really, is getting used to treating yourself. It feels positively sinful to “waste” those perfectly good items on just yourself, doesn’t it? (I just about broke into hives when I started using my “good” Fiestaware for everyday use. By the time I actually broke a mug, it was almost a relief to get it over with.)
Remember: It’s Just Stuff, and You’re Worth It
There’s a good chance that most of us have a few luxurious, treasured, or special items tucked away, waiting to be pulled out to impress the right person. Guess what? You are the right person!
When there’s no one around to compliment your excellent taste or burn with jealousy at your cool possessions, you can truly start enjoying things for their genuine qualities, not their perceived value. Not only are you upgrading your life a notch without any real work, you can start to let go of the need to impress others.
What’s the worst that could happen? You might actually get the full usage out of an item before it wears out? You might enjoy your favorite possessions and rituals? Hmm. Sounds like dangerous living in the best possible way…
What do you think? Does luxury have to be shared or showed to be enjoyed? If an expensive bottle of champagne is consumed in private, does it still taste as good? Drop your thoughts into the comments; I’d love to hear any ideas or examples you think of!
Similar Posts:
- Simple Ways You Can Start Enjoying Today
- Five Ways to Have Less and Enjoy More
- Six Pretty Darn Good Reasons Not to Be a Jerk
- Five Myths About Simplicity Busted
- Weekly Links: Life Skills Network Edition
This post has 23 comments
June 9th, 2009
When my husband & I got married, we decided to buy a new dishware set – a matching set of dining plates, soup bowls, cups, saucers, etc. for 8 people. We didn’t buy the super-duper formal set, ’cause we’re not super-duper rich. But we still bought a fairly formal set from Mikasa; I’d say, just one step down from super-duper formal.
This is the set we use everyday. That’s right, everyday! Are we afraid that we might break it? Sure! We already broke two bowls… hehe. We were lucky enough to be able to buy replacements. When my mom comes over, she asks us if we have a less formal set to use. Nope! Food tastes better on pretty plates.
Vi | Maximizing Utilitys last blog post..Culture Clash: Power Distance Index
June 9th, 2009
Strangely I have never had this problem, if I have something nice I use it! I have no problem enjoying luxury on my own or sharing it, however it is a given that I use/enjoy the best as soon as I have an opportunity
RML- Being More Through Having Lesss last blog post..Musings…
June 9th, 2009
What a great idea! It’s so simple and easy but I’m sure it will make a big difference in feeling luxurious. Thanks for this post.
Positively Presents last blog post..trust me: to be happy you need to trust
June 9th, 2009
I love this post! You’re so right about saving things for when there’s company who’s “worth it.” And I came to this post on the heels of your post about dogs and simplicity, so I can’t help but add that my dog never saves his favorite toys–he plays with them and enjoys them like crazy, knowing that if he wears it out, I’ll replace it. That’s something I forget for myself–that if there’s something I absolutely love (like those pjs that are both gorgeous *and* comfy), when it wears out, I can always replace it, knowing I got full enjoyment from it. Thanks!
Jens last blog post..Next giveaway… What shall it be?
June 9th, 2009
About six months ago we started buying really good coffee to drink every morning. Instead of drinking two or three cups of okay coffee, my husband and I each have one cup of really good coffee, made in a french press (well, that is until my toddler smashed it, now we’re back to the coffee maker until I can suck up the money to buy another bodum) in the morning. It really does feel like a little luxury.
jills last blog post..Disaster Strikes!
June 9th, 2009
Such a nice idea! I like wearing really nice underwear on an everyday basis
Who cares if I’m the only one who sees it, it makes me feel awesome!
Sagans last blog post..Guest Post: The Transformation to a Warped Body Image
June 9th, 2009
Great post! I love to use my “best” things for my “best” people … and those people are my family. So we eat pancakes on great-greatmother’s china, have tea parties with antique tea sets, use heavy linen napkins when we eat Oreos and I always have GOOD coffee. I wear my pearls with jeans and a t-shirt just because I love them … and my daughter is just like me. My “stuff” should not just be for display … it’s all to be used and enjoyed.
TeriLynnes last blog post..It’s in the Junk Drawer
June 9th, 2009
Definitely a great idea. I have wine glasses that I don’t use and other things that are “nice.” But this is a great way to appreciate what you have.
Srinivas Raos last blog post..The Comparative and Competitive Disadvantage
June 9th, 2009
I fully agree with this post. I have a bunch of things that I’ve saved to wear at a “fancy occasion”. I’ve started wearing a lot of them, and it feels great! Why should I let a beautiful outfit sit in my drawer unworn?
The same thing goes for houseware that is just lying around… There’s no time like the present!
June 9th, 2009
So true. Life’s too short to save the best for later, especially since “later” might never come.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..10 Ways To Hate Yourself As A Woman
June 9th, 2009
Hi Sara,
Life is so short and we never know when it will be over so I believe in enjoying those luxuries while we can. So many people save their silverware for a special event but everyday is a special day, when you think about it.
Nadia-Happy Lotuss last blog post..Listening to My Intuition
June 9th, 2009
Sara,
I think pausing to find beauty in any moment is all the luxury I need in my life. Of course, a high quality beer also helps and I enjoy that small luxury alone or in company.
Roger – A Content Lifes last blog post..Meditation for Beginners (Week 6) – Next Steps
June 9th, 2009
Definitely a great idea. This tip, together with buying quality, can change the feel of your whole life, without costing a lot of extra money.
Feral Historians last blog post..Working within the system
June 9th, 2009
This point was driven home to me recently at an auction, where I bought somebody’s “best”, unused table cloths for $2. I have been trying to use all my good stuff, and this was a good object lesson for me about saving things for some future important occasion. I agree with Sagan too, the point of great underwear is to make me feel great and able to face up to life.
June 9th, 2009
It depends, but I do feel luxurious when wearing new clothes!
Christophers last blog post.."Deadline" Stop-Motion Video
June 9th, 2009
I was reminded of a book I read a few years ago: Life is Short; Wear Your Party Pants (available through Amazon.com, and I have no personal or financial interest in the book). The author is advocating much the same thing, saying if you and your loved ones aren’t good enough to use the best china, then who is? I agree with both her and with you, although I admit it’s hard to do it. We get so attached to things based on their economic value that we resist their real purpose and function, leaving them instead to sit unused in cupboards or on display.
June 9th, 2009
I was guilty of saving my “nice” plates, wine and champagne glasses for when we have company. One day I decided I didn’t want to keep so many plates and glasses and got rid of the mediocre/cheap sets. Now we use our “company” ware for every meal and haven’t regretted it.
Carlas last blog post..Green Your Decor Nominated for Best Eye Candy Blog!
June 10th, 2009
I totally disagree, for two reasons, let’s call them “occasion” and “empathy”.
Take the guest towels, for example. Putting the guest towels out is like getting dolled up in a fancy dress – it’s part of what makes a special occasion “special”. It’s not possible for life to be special all the time, because the human mind notices subjective differences, not absolutes*. Reserving certain things for “special occasions” gives them a talismanic quality that enhances a special occasion can be invoked to transmute events that are otherwise ordinary – as long as it is not overused.
The second reason, “empathy”, maybe doesn’t apply to everyone. But for me, while expensive champagne or a fancy dinner can be pleasant on its own, it is far more enjoyable if I have a friend sharing the experience. (I feel so strongly about this, that I often will forgo treats because they are simply do not create enough “first hand pleasure” to be worth the cost.) Partly the difference stems from the direct “empathic reflection” of my friend’s pleasure, and partly from the satisfaction that comes from gift-giving.
*To observe this in action, fill three bowls with water: hot, warm, and cold. Place one hand in the hot water and the other in cold. After two minutes, place both hands in the warm water.
June 11th, 2009
What a great way to look at this concept — I like your analogy. I remember to do this only sometimes, but most of the time I’m *saving* my best things. It’s ALWAYS worth it when I do use them/wear them! Thanks for the reminder.
kirwins last blog post..My Bedroom Makeover
June 11th, 2009
I used to save everything for everyone else then one day I woke up and realized that I was in a bad place in my life. It was really sad that I couldn’t allow myself to luxuries sitting right at my finger tips. From the moment of that realization, I started hemming my pants to the right length instead of thinking of the next person who might get them from a thrift shop. I started using my beautiful china and crystal for myself at least once a week making time for an actual sit down meal with all the trimmings. I’m happy to have made this adjustment for me because it has helped me to obtain person growth and love, with no guilt.
June 11th, 2009
Life is too short to set aside my special items. I like pretty things, and use them daily instead of saving them. I drink coffee from my crystal mugs if I want to. I serve chips in the beautiful cut glass bowl I got for a wedding gift. The only things that live in the china cabinet are my children’s works of art, and that is only because I don’t want the cat to knock them off the shelf.
June 11th, 2009
I live alone and although I enjoy entertaining for friends, I don’t wait till they are around to enjoy good wine, good food, etc.
I use the “best” dishes, glasses and linens every day. My antique linens and houseware items are always out and in use.
If you can’t treat yourself well, with what you have that you consider a luxury, then who can you treat?
Yes, it’s a lot of fun to share the goodies with others but sometimes that isn’t possible.
I cook most days as if I were having company and set the table as if there were guests. I am the guest!
And as for the champagne tasting as good in private? The answer is YES. But it is more fun to share, for the most part.
If anything, having something special (food, wine, chocolates) is extra incentive to share. But I am very happy eating those Teuscher dark chocolate champagne truffles all by myself!
June 13th, 2009
People have commented to me that my food is formal-looking, and that they wouldn’t always do that everyday. My husband said that most days, I do the little things that make our meals look more formal; it’s just a normal thing for us. I may not go out to eat, but that doesn’t mean that my food can’t look like it was served in an expensive restaurant. It doesn’t take much to snip some herbs from the garden and add them to the top of each plate at the table.
Trackbacks
Add a comment