What do you think of when you hear the word ‘luxury’? Fluffy beds with billion-count cotton sheets, cashmere jumpers, silk lingerie, European cars, expensive leather handbags, designer watches and clothing, perfumes and high-end makeup. These things are marketed to us as ‘luxury’ items.

But what is luxury really?

  • Turning on the tap and getting hot water.
  • Turning on the tap and getting water – full stop.
  • Taking the rubbish out to the bin knowing that a big truck will come and take it all away at the end of the week.
  • Flushing the toilet.
  • Turning on the dishwasher.
  • Buying stuff online that gets delivered to your house.
  • Having a shower every day.
  • Cleaning your teeth in the shower.
  • Having a toothbrush.
  • Wearing clean clothes.
  • Having a supermarket near your home.
  • Reading the labels on the food in the supermarket.
  • Reading.
  • Having a house to clean.
  • Cleaning out the fridge or pantry.
  • Finding a fresh sheet of notepaper every time you open your notebook.
  • Wondering what to have for dinner tonight, rather than wondering if there’ll be any dinner tonight.
  • Being able to not eat your crusts.
  • Being fussy with food. Isn’t it the ultimate luxury – being able to say, ‘I don’t like that,’ or ‘I’m full,’ and leave half your food on the plate?

If you have all these things, you’re one of the lucky ones. You’re living a life of luxury.