Do It For The Plot

In the fast moving world of soft life, girl boss, minimalism, maximalism, thrifting, and now “what’s actually worth the money?” I can legitimately say, with plenty of fact checkers available to confirm it, that I have always been subscribed to the luxurious life.

Even before it became trendy….Back when people were super ugly to me about it.

Back when a Black girl having the audacity to say, “Just because I’m smart and hardworking doesn’t mean I believe I should have to prove that to the world for the rest of my life,” rubbed people the wrong way. I was never going to identify as a No Limit Soldier. Sorry. Not. Sorry. Whew, I got called a gold digger more times than I can count.

Which was always funny to me because I was never just fishing for funds. I’ve never even accepted a free meal or drink if I didn’t want to bother having a conversation with a guy. I’d rather just pay myself.

I was simply saying you needed to be able to keep up with me to earn a seat at my table. And this was before the internet even started asking, “Well… what do you bring to the table?” We’ll leave the Red Pill bro goofballs alone today though.

However, I am genuinely glad the girlies eventually realized maybe I had the right idea about a few things after all. So, that brings us to today’s question.

How do you live in a constant state of luxury, even when the economy is in shambles?

Because here’s the thing. Luxury has looked different in every chapter of my life.

Before I was completely finished with school and had a steady paycheck, my parents lovingly fed my delusions, but we definitely weren’t the Rockefellers. It still required a little creativity. Looking back, I think that’s where I learned the biggest lesson of all. Luxury has very little to do with money and almost everything to do with intention.

So here’s my personal survival guide. Take what works for you, leave what doesn’t, and tailor it to your own budget because everyone’s life looks different. No matter what season you’re in, you deserve to feel like you’re spoiling yourself.

The first rule is simple.

1. Embrace the whimsy!
   • Stay delusional. None of this works if you’re constantly reality checking yourself. Boo. What a bore.

In my head, I’m permanently starring in some crossover episode of Girlfriends, Sex and the City, and The Simple Life with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Andy Cohen and the Housewives obviously make regular appearances too because… duh.

I’m the main character.

I’m also the supporting character.

The writer.

The producer.

The creative director.

All of it.

Tyler Perry does it in his productions right? Why can’t I?

Pro Tip: Have a Whimsy Playlist to get you in the flow. Mine currently includes Unwritten, Just Like Magic, Dancing Queen, and about 40 other songs that convince me life is one montage away from changing forever. If y’all want help with your playlist, let me know because mine is honestly one of my greatest accomplishments.

2. Another thing that’s always helped me is building my life around the woman I wanted to become instead of the woman I currently was. Even though you should definitely love and respect her too!

Think back to the girl you admired growing up.

How would she spend her mornings?

How would she dress for a random Tuesday?

How would she decorate her place?

How would she carry herself?

Then start becoming her.

One habit at a time.

I genuinely believe adding just one intentional habit every thirty days or once the last habit isn’t hard to keep anymore can completely transform your life. Twelve habits in one year may not sound like much, but one day you’ll wake up and realize you’re living the life you used to daydream about.

3. Creating a self care routine completely changed my college experience.

During what I lovingly refer to as my “surviving Montgomery” era, my line sister and I accidentally built the cutest little routine. We’d find whatever restaurant had the best daily special, watch reality TV after class, an end almost every day at Nancy’s Italian Ice.

My Italian Ice was literally 3$.

We figured out that buying a fountain drink at Outback basically got us access to a free Blooming Onion. Moe Mondays. Buy 1 Get 1 free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings.

What a time!

Now, would I recommend this routine if your goal is an invisible waist? Probably not.

But it gave me something to look forward to during some really difficult days, and honestly, that’s priceless.

The funny thing is, the routine wasn’t what made those memories luxurious. It was the mindset. Somewhere out there is a video of me strutting through Troy University’s Homecoming like I was opening New York Fashion Week when reality landed me in a student section parking lot. There’s another video of me sitting in the backseat of my friend’s Jetta dramatically announcing that “our limo had broken down” instead of getting out to help push the car. I would pay an embarrassing amount of money to have those videos back. Ugh, what a dream.

Life becomes so much more fun when you decide to romanticize it.

Now even though I’m post grad with an actual paycheck, my routine honestly hasn’t changed all that much.

Matching pajamas and underwear remain completely non negotiable because my mother raised me that way. Trust me, it comes in handy when you’re standing outside at three o’clock in the morning waiting on the police. That’s a story for another day.

I’ve also never abandoned my face mask era. I’ll always recommend investing in a good dermatologist if your budget allows, but until then, those 3 to 5 dollar Target face masks still make me feel like I’m spending the weekend at a luxury spa. Maybe it’s a placebo effect. Maybe it’s not. Either way, I feel expensive afterward, and that’s all I really need.

Hair, nails, and toes being done are another hill I’ll happily die on. I am fully convinced life gets unnecessarily harder when my nails and hair aren’t done. I could probably conduct a peer reviewed study on it honestly.

When I first transitioned into healthcare administration, I actually took a significant pay cut for several months. The nail salon was one of the first luxuries to disappear, so I adapted. Press ons became my best friend. Same confidence. Half the price. Way less time.

Luxury isn’t about the receipt. It’s about how you feel.

Now, my Sundays have become sacred.

Church.

A coffee shop.

A little fiction reading..

Some writing.

Lately, spending time in nature.

It’s how I reset before another busy week.

I’ve also never understood the idea of saving outfits for a special occasion. If I want to wear something that looks straight off the runway to my future son’s little league game one day, why not? Life is entirely too short to own beautiful clothes you never actually wear. So WEAR THE OUTFIT ALWAYS!

And when life gets overwhelming? I simply go to bed.

Peace is one of the most luxurious things money can’t buy. My Oura Ring sleep score honestly deserves its own documentary at this point.

Can I sleep twelve hours straight if life gets stressful enough?

Yep, Absolutely.

Do I recommend making that a habit? UMMM, not exactly. But if I need to pause the world for a minute, I’ll choose rest over unnecessary chaos every single time.

People always think I mean I’m talking about expensive vacations or designer handbags, as luxurious living and for some people, maybe it does.

Personally, traveling is only fun once I actually arrive.

Getting there though usually includes an anxiety spike equal to if I was Rue from Euphoria trying to smuggle drugs across international borders, even though the only contraband in my suitcase is probably just vitamins and makeup.

It’s completely irrational. It’s also hilarious. And somehow those adjectives are a common part of my delusional little life that I love so so much.

At the end of the day, luxury isn’t pretending you’re rich. It’s creating a life that FEELS rich.

Maybe It’s matching pajamas, fresh press on nails, a 3$ face mask, coffee dates by yourself, reality TV, Sunday resets, or a playlist that convinces you your life is playing on a rom com soundtrack beat by beat.

It’s about finding little ways to remind yourself that your life is worthy of celebration exactly as it is.

Some of the best chapters of your story are still unwritten. So live boldly. Embrace the unexpected. Romanticize the ordinary. And whatever you do, make sure your life is always worth the MF plot!!!