In the last couple of weeks, I’ve posted blogs that talked about reinventing yourself and taking on your world like you have nothing to fear and then make a plan to get there. I know that reinventing yourself and stepping outside your comfort zone can be scary for some.

So today, I wanted to talk about a really good reason to go for it, a carrot to dangle in front of yourself to motivate you: improving your list of necessities and luxuries.

There are obvious necessities that everybody has: water, air, food. But beyond those very basic needs, everybody has things that they can’t live without, that they need to make it through each day. They also have a luxury list that they splurge on when they need a boost, to celebrate an accomplishment, or to just celebrate life. When you’re in a job you hate, that is not paying you what you deserve, the needs and luxuries are about survival. A roof over your head, three meals a day, a reliable car. But… don’t you want more than that?

When I left the law firm to become a yoga instructor, I was living a pretty comfortable lifestyle. I was making serious money and didn’t think much about the nice clothes I bought, the fancy restaurants I ate at, or the extravagant vacations I went on. You might think I was scared about whether I was ever going to live that lifestyle again when I left it, wondering how the heck I thought I was going to live that way as a yoga instructor.

I didn’t think about it. It wasn’t a question. I set the intention that I could, and would, continue to live comfortably, and then I busted my ass to make it happen because there are things that I am simply unwilling to live without, and they became my inspiration.

Organic food is still a luxury for a lot of people. It is more expensive than non-organic, often comes in smaller quantities, and when you’ve got a family to feed, the groceries can really add up. But for a raw vegan like me, most of my daily nutrition comes from vegetables. Subjecting my body to all the herbicides and pesticides used with conventional produce is just not an option. And honestly, organic veggies just taste so much better. If being completely organic isn’t an option, pick a couple of things that you eat or drink a lot of and make those your organic luxuries.

My skincare regimen would probably be considered a huge luxury to most. It’s not cheap. In fact, it’s pretty expensive, but I have gotten to a point that I just don’t feel right for the rest of the day if I don’t start it out with the essential oils I use to wash, tone and moisturize my face. It is the only way I will start my day. It wasn’t always that way. The idea was once a luxury. But, I reached a point when I decided that it was going to become a regular part of my life. So, I figured out how to pay for it and now it is so necessary for me, I will rearrange my budget to keep it if I have to.

If having a full line of essential oil skin care products isn’t in your budget, pick the part of your skin or hair that’s most important to you and buy a luxury product that you use once in a while when you feel like treating yourself. Then, grow that occasional treat into an everyday experience.  My marketing manager posted on Facebook the other day that she took a glorious shower that night with the “good soap” and felt wonderful.

Now, think about this for a second – what if that glorious shower and that wonderful feeling became an every day experience?

Some people feel that way about sending their children to private school. Some will only wear natural fiber clothing. Others won’t start their day without a certain brand of coffee. These are all luxuries that became necessities.

Luxury is important too. And sometimes, upping your game with luxury can light a fire under you to go beyond your comfort zone. For me, a luxury would be an extravagant vacation. And when I decide that I want one, I plan for it, save up, put my energy into it because not only do I believe that I deserve to splurge on myself from time to time, it becomes a goal to work toward. It keeps me motivated.

Luxury is also a mindset. When you feel luxurious, you want more luxury around you. You want to create it for yourself. This is not about feeling envious about what others have and what you don’t. If you keep focusing on what you lack, that’s all you’re ever going to see.

Life is short. I’ve said it 100 times. You have to enjoy the little time you’re here. I know for some people, my necessities seem extravagant, like they are things they could never have. But you can!! I’m no different than you. Decide what it is you want. A house? A nicer car? A vacation on an exotic island? A closet full of Prada shoes? Or just a really good job that makes you jump out of bed every morning? Do whatever you have to do to achieve that next level of happiness.

Live like you have nothing to fear, reinvent yourself if you have to. @hayleyhobson
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It’s out there, make it yours!

What are your necessities and luxuries? What luxury would you like to make a necessity and how are you going to make that happen?

Hayley Hobson is an author, speaker, business coach, yogi, Pilates instructor, and holistic nutritional expert based in Boulder, CO. Her unique and intelligent style promotes strengthening while softening—empowering her clients to heal not only their physical bodies but their hearts and minds as well. To learn more about her nutritional courses, events, and custom programs, visit hayleyhobson.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.