What if the life you’re longing for isn’t waiting at the end of a big breakthrough—but right here, quietly blooming in the middle of your everyday moments?
That’s the question I’ve been carrying with me lately. And as I reread one of my favorite books, The Simply Luxurious Life by Shannon Ables, it echoed the very thing my heart’s been whispering: life doesn’t have to be extravagant to feel extraordinary.
It just has to be true.
Living Well Begins with Living Aware
In her book, Shannon talks about cultivating a life of quality over quantity—not just in what we buy, but in how we live. It’s the idea that luxury isn’t about having more, but about being present and purposeful.
I noticed how often I rush through the small things. I’ll drink coffee while checking emails. Eat dinner while standing up. Leave candles unlit because I think, what’s the point tonight?
But then one evening last week, I poured water into a pretty glass, lit a candle during dinner—even though it was just leftovers—and sat down to eat slowly. That moment didn’t just feel peaceful. It felt abundant.
Curate, Don’t Accumulate
One of the simplest truths in the book is this: curate your life. From your wardrobe to your calendar, your surroundings to your relationships.
I’ve started asking gentle questions:
- What am I holding onto that no longer feels like me?
- Where am I saying yes out of guilt instead of joy?
- What drains me—and what lifts me?
Letting go doesn’t always feel easy. But it makes space. And in that space, you can breathe again.
Elevating the Everyday
There’s such beauty in the small rituals—if we choose to see them.
Using a linen napkin at breakfast. Playing soft music while folding laundry. Reading slowly instead of scrolling. Setting your phone down to enjoy your afternoon iced coffee in the sunshine.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
And the presence we bring to life is what makes it beautiful.
A Quiet Invitation
This week, try one of these:
- Pour your drink into a glass you love.
- Add fresh flowers to your kitchen counter.
- Step outside just to breathe in the evening air.
- Say no to something that steals your peace.
- Say yes to something small that brings you joy.
These aren’t luxuries—they’re soul habits. They bring us home to ourselves. And home is a holy place.
Final Thoughts
A simply luxurious life isn’t loud. It doesn’t clamor for attention. It doesn’t require perfection or applause.
It’s soft.
It’s sacred.
It’s yours.
And the more I lean into that truth, the more I realize: this simple path might just be the most beautiful one of all.
With a full heart,
Jenny