I like the idea that you mention, trimming the “not needed/necessary”. I feel as if true luxury is knowing what brings you happiness and/or peace and being able to act on it. And what is superfluous and does nothing to move you towards your goals can just be cut because it’s a waste of mind space
I love this. The idea of a luxury roster is so smart! Immediately I thought about sweaters as the thing that’s worth splurging on for me, and that’s kind of freeing to realize.
I do believe luxury is the ability to treat your time as such, to not waste it doing things that wont give value.
I also agree with not spending money on things just for the sudden dopamine or because they're 'trendy'. However, I believe everyone should dress in their own style, not everyone has to dress minimally with black and white basic clothes.
The “luxury roster” is such a perfect idea that I’m mad I never thought of it. 😂
I also love the term “conscious abundance.” 🤍🤍🤍
I wish this post could be seen & read by eeeeverybody. It’s so relevant for the times we’re living in and the constant consumerist culture that is pushed on us.
Thank you for writing such a perfect and timely piece. I am sure that most can relate as trends are shifting and this is such a spot-on and genuine observation.
Mia, this resonates so deeply. "The hardest flex in 2026 isn't a limited-edition handbag. It's a quiet schedule and a regulated nervous system."
I've been thinking about this exact tension, how true luxury has shifted from acquisition to curation, from consumption to creation. What you're describing isn't just frugal chic, it's intellectual resistance. It's choosing to become more while the algorithm wants us to want more.
“The eighth open tab, the third drink, the draining calendar invite”these are all dopamine hacks designed to keep us in consumption mode. But there's something radical happening when we close those loops. When we say no to what doesn't align, we're not just managing our finances or schedules. We're reclaiming our capacity for depth.
I wrote about this through the lens of the "intellectual it girl" movement, the quiet rebellion of choosing analog living, morning pages, Renaissance-level learning over viral trends. Your frugal chic framework and this intellectual shift are two sides of the same coin: both are about intentional becoming rather than endless accumulating.
"A level of intellectualism that isn't ready for mass consumption" (as Anthony Ortez said) pairs perfectly with a lifestyle that isn't ready for Instagram aesthetics. Some things—thoughtful spending, regulated nervous systems, quiet schedules—need space to breathe.
Building a tasteful life slowly. That's the whole ethos. Not performing it, not optimising it for content, just living it with intention.
Thank you for articulating what so many of us are feeling but struggling to name. This is the conversation we need to be having.
I like the idea that you mention, trimming the “not needed/necessary”. I feel as if true luxury is knowing what brings you happiness and/or peace and being able to act on it. And what is superfluous and does nothing to move you towards your goals can just be cut because it’s a waste of mind space
I love this. The idea of a luxury roster is so smart! Immediately I thought about sweaters as the thing that’s worth splurging on for me, and that’s kind of freeing to realize.
I do believe luxury is the ability to treat your time as such, to not waste it doing things that wont give value.
I also agree with not spending money on things just for the sudden dopamine or because they're 'trendy'. However, I believe everyone should dress in their own style, not everyone has to dress minimally with black and white basic clothes.
The “luxury roster” is such a perfect idea that I’m mad I never thought of it. 😂
I also love the term “conscious abundance.” 🤍🤍🤍
I wish this post could be seen & read by eeeeverybody. It’s so relevant for the times we’re living in and the constant consumerist culture that is pushed on us.
Thank you for writing such a perfect and timely piece. I am sure that most can relate as trends are shifting and this is such a spot-on and genuine observation.
My New Year’s resolution in writing
Mia, this resonates so deeply. "The hardest flex in 2026 isn't a limited-edition handbag. It's a quiet schedule and a regulated nervous system."
I've been thinking about this exact tension, how true luxury has shifted from acquisition to curation, from consumption to creation. What you're describing isn't just frugal chic, it's intellectual resistance. It's choosing to become more while the algorithm wants us to want more.
“The eighth open tab, the third drink, the draining calendar invite”these are all dopamine hacks designed to keep us in consumption mode. But there's something radical happening when we close those loops. When we say no to what doesn't align, we're not just managing our finances or schedules. We're reclaiming our capacity for depth.
I wrote about this through the lens of the "intellectual it girl" movement, the quiet rebellion of choosing analog living, morning pages, Renaissance-level learning over viral trends. Your frugal chic framework and this intellectual shift are two sides of the same coin: both are about intentional becoming rather than endless accumulating.
"A level of intellectualism that isn't ready for mass consumption" (as Anthony Ortez said) pairs perfectly with a lifestyle that isn't ready for Instagram aesthetics. Some things—thoughtful spending, regulated nervous systems, quiet schedules—need space to breathe.
Building a tasteful life slowly. That's the whole ethos. Not performing it, not optimising it for content, just living it with intention.
Thank you for articulating what so many of us are feeling but struggling to name. This is the conversation we need to be having.
Wow amazing article that really spoke to me