Last week Trish Devereaux from our newest stockist 'High Health Club' asked me some big questions for a "Behind the Brand" interview (now up on their website)...You can read the article here. One of the questions was "What does luxury mean to you?"
I considered this word luxury and leaned into its meaning, use and associations. It is defined as "a state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense."
Typically, we associate the word with something expensive, out-of-reach or not to be enjoyed every day. Is it "the good wine" or "special occasion dinnerware" or "the branded bag". It's taking a day off for "me-time" or a rare night out, child-free.
For some, luxury is associated with worthiness and we don't always feel good enough to experience it... or the thing that we associate with being luxurious. Upon reflection of the word and what emotions, energies and experiences arose, I realised that it isn't necessarily obtained through material things. Sure that's one 'tool' for it, and a fun one at that. It is free and something we have access to anytime.
Luxury can be achieved in the most mundane moments.
Luxury is a pleasure ritual and a mindful practice.
Luxury can be achieved by integrating sensory stimulation into life’s moments to ignite our pleasure sensors to feel comfort, ecstasy and peace.
Morning coffee? Why not mindfully smell the roasted aroma, feel the sun on your skin whilst sitting outside and tune into the sounds of nature and life around you?
This is taking an ordinary moment and creating a luxurious experience.
It doesn’t have to mean expensive or rare - it just means 'make it pleasurable'. That, for the most part, is up to your mindset and focus.
This requires a deep understanding that you are worthy of luxury. You are worthy to experience pleasure.
If you seek to have the modern associations of luxury in your life, start by cultivating your own pleasure rituals and raise your vibration to a state of abundance, worthiness and cultivate self-love.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER -
- When do you experience luxury?
- Do you feel worthy to experience luxury in every moment?
- How can you simmer in luxury each day?
Whether it is moments of stillness alone with the world, or moments of connection and intimacy with your family, friends or loved ones - time is a luxury and our most valuable resource - each second that passes is the last time we will experience it.
If you associate luxury with rarity, then treat each moment as once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and soak it in.
Our 5 senses need nurturing and mindfulness takes practice.
Like a muscle we flex to grow stronger, returning back to the 'now' is a conscious choice. The more we do it, the easier and quicker it becomes.
Pleasure requires focused attention and an ability to fully engage with each sense. A daily meditation or mindful practice where we allocate time for our sensory pleasure is a great place to begin.
Give yourself the space, and permission, to experience the luxuries your mind, body and spirit enjoys.
