10 things I'm grateful for

If you look at Instagram, it seems that content creators, celebrities, wannabies have this incredible life, full of travel, fashion, cool stuff and lots of luxuries.

Why don't we talk about what luxury means? The dictionary's definition is "a state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense." That's interesting. So, it's great comfort - but also involves great expense. As I said, on Instagram you find people in the most stunning places, with an abundance of amazing food and clothes. Sure, that's luxury. But surely there is another way to look at luxury - or in my world I see it as gratitude for the simpler things in life and which don't necessarily cost a lot of money. 

Here's a list of 10 things I'm immensely grateful for. Of course there are many more.

1. Finding joy in simple daily routines - from making porridge to mint tea to cooking
2. Enjoying fresh food from markets - less expensive and maintains my health
3. Not having to commute - I work from home and have my own transportation
4. Waking up without an alarm - mostly - the natural way. 
5. Feeling peaceful at home - wasn't always this way. Very important to me now.
6. I'm lucky I have quiet neighbours - that's not to be sniffed at living in a flat in London.
7. Being knowledgeable with finances and investing - wish more women would be. 
8. To be able to play Tennis and other sports at my age.
9. To have people in my life I can trust.
10. Being able to be indulge in my creativity.

This of course my list. I wonder if you can create your own list of luxuries and what you are grateful for. I find that when life is tough, it's a great way to bring our selves back to what we do have, rather than what we don't. And my God, many of us need to feel rich, maybe not in the monetary way, but in life! I actually believe that appreciation is the missing link and why so many people are unsatisfied.

Let's all appreciate more in 2026.