The Lure of Luxury

I just finished watching a series called Inventing Anna. Who’s heard of that one? Fascinating story – based on the real-life drama of a young woman who convinced people she was a German heiress and conned friends and banks and such out of thousands and thousands of dollars.

This woman was staying in the most expensive hotels . . . eating at the best restaurants . . . wearing top quality designer clothes . . . attending the most exclusive of social events . . . traveling all around the world, flying first class. And somehow managed to do it all without paying for any of it.

The lifestyle she was living was absolutely crazy. And even crazier, I realized as I watched that I didn’t find it appealing in the least.

I mean, NOT AT ALL.

I’ve thought the same thing watching some episodes of Rich Kids Go Skint, a British reality show where spoiled young adults raised in ridiculous wealth spend a weekend with a family “living on the breadline.” They start each episode giving you a taste of the lifestyle these kids are living. Again, outrageously expensive clothes and cars and huge houses and monthly international travel and expensive meals out every day.

And for the life of me, I could not imagine why anyone would want to live that way.

I couldn’t care less about the names on my clothes. Honestly – could NOT care less. I want comfortable clothes that look good on me. That’s it. The cheaper, the better, as long as they hold up over time.

I've had big houses. They were beautiful, but they were BIG -- and required a lot of upkeep. I don't need that.

The partying all the time – oh, my word. It just looked exhausting. I don’t want to get all dressed up every day. I don’t want the social pressure. I don’t want to worry about my public image. I don’t want to engage in hours of vapid conversation about nothing that matters in the world.

I hope I don’t sound like I’m tooting my own humble horn here. Lord knows, I’ve got my own faults I wouldn’t want broadcast to the world. But this particular “fault”, if it is a fault – this living in extravagant luxury – I just don’t get it at all. I guess if you grew up in this world, if it’s all you’ve known, then you can’t imagine living any other way. I suppose I can give some grace to those kids then.

But why oh why would any of the rest of us want to be in that place? What’s the appeal? It’s not comfortable; those clothes aren’t comfortable. It’s not stress-free; there is remarkable stress in needing to keep up a public image like that. Financial security is to be desired, but the rest of that way of living is beyond my comprehension.

Am I being judgmental? Forgive me if so. But most of the Rich Kids Who Went Skint in that series agreed with me by the end of their respective episodes. It’s pointless. It’s petty. It’s not why we’re here.

Just a reminder to myself to put my time, energy, and money into things that really matter. And if you needed that reminder, too, you’re welcome.