What’s Your Definition of Luxury

The other day, during a coaching session, I asked my coachee a simple question: What does luxury mean to you? The conversation started with him expressing his desire for a luxurious life, tied to earning a lot of money. But as we dug deeper, I followed up with that question—What does luxury really mean to you?

He shared his perspective, but his response left me reflecting long after the session ended. I realized it was a question I needed to answer for myself too.

Here’s what I discovered:

Luxury, to me, is something that is rare, something that isn’t freely available, something that is precious, something that requires effort, intention, and care to attain.

When I framed luxury this way, I noticed it applied to so many things we often overlook or take for granted.

Time: Free, unstructured time to reflect, enjoy, and soak up the present moment feels increasingly rare. In today’s fast-paced world, carving out such time demands organization, discipline, and assertiveness.
True Friends / relationships: Those few people who know you, understand you, truly have your back, and stand by you are a rare treasure. Such genuine connections require time, trust, and consistent effort to nurture and sustain. Building strong bonds demands vulnerability, communication, and mutual care.
Human Intelligence: With artificial intelligence becoming the norm, the brilliance of uniquely human thought and creativity feels like a luxury worth cherishing. Honing creativity and critical thinking takes dedication and a willingness to grow.
Stress-Free Living / Inner Peace: A life of peace, free from undue stress, a calm and grounded state of mind, free from internal conflicts, is priceless. Achieving peace of mind calls for mindfulness, balance, intentional choices, self-reflection, emotional regulation, and resilience.
Good Health: Living without chronic ailments or major health issues is an invaluable luxury. It requires consistent effort through exercise, nutrition, and self-care.
Purposeful Work: Engaging in work that aligns with your values and brings fulfillment is rare. Achieving it often means investing time in self-discovery and career growth.
Freedom: The ability to make choices that align with your desires—whether personal, financial, or professional—is a true luxury. It often requires sacrifices and disciplined planning.
Unhurried Conversations: Deep, meaningful discussions without distractions are a rare gift in a hyper-connected world. They require setting aside time and giving undivided attention.

What’s common across all these luxuries is the cost. Not in monetary terms, but in time, effort, and intentionality. Whether it’s investing in friendships, prioritizing self-care, or making space for reflection, these luxuries require us to pay a price—be it time, energy, or focus.

This reflection shifted how I view luxury. It’s not about what I own but about what I nurture. It’s not about what I flaunt but about what I hold close.

So, I’ll leave you with this: What does luxury mean to you?

Take a moment to reflect. You might be surprised by how your answer reshapes your priorities, just like it did for me.

If you find this meaningful and would like to engage in coaching conversations with me, feel free to book a zero cost slot with me here: https://calendly.com/shantisharma/60min

Shanti Sharma

Shanti Sharma ICF PCC / EMCC Sr. Practitioner / Mentor Coach

Founder | Author | Leadership, Executive and Team Coach | Facilitator | Mentor Coach

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