Finding Luxury in a Coffee Mug
“Do I really need a $20 mug?” I wondered. True the mug is handmade and hand painted, but did I need to spend $20 on a mug, when I already have several usable coffee mugs at home?
This mug was different. As soon as I saw it on the shelf at the Waitsfield, Vermont Farmer’s Market I knew I had to have it. I immediately imagined my hands wrapped perfectly around the body, feeling the warmth of my coffee as the brim of the mug hit my lips, the aroma awakening my mind and my spirit, a smile forming on my lips. I was peaceful. Not to mention the colors were my favorite – hints of green, blue and purple.
I hesitated, standing next to my husband as he said “buy the mug!” I was still thinking $20? I’m not cheap by any means, I believe in value and I don’t like to overpay. Then I remembered what I had read just that morning. Week 6 in Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way: Recovering a Sense of Abundance. An exploration of how my attitudes and beliefs limit abundance and luxury in my life. I’ll be clear here – I have all I need and want for nothing. Sometimes, though, I deny myself the “little” things, with a tendency to think “bigger” (like exotic 2 week vacations). Reading this chapter changed everything.
Julia asks this question as it relates to luxury: “What gives you true joy?” She then describes a woman who finds true joy and abundance in fresh raspberries. A quick trip to the grocery store and she’s got her abundance. This woman is quoted:
“They cost $1.98 to $4.50, depending on the season. I always tell myself they are too expensive, but the truth is that’s a bargain for a week of luxury. It’s less than a movie. Less than a deluxe cheeseburger. I guess it’s just more than I thought I was worth.”
This really struck a chord with me because I love blueberries and sometimes they come with what I consider a “high” price tag of $4 to $6 per pint. Then I started to think about other things I spend money on that don’t provide me with that luxurious feeling and I end up thinking “what a waste of money, I could have had (insert something here)”
I came back from this thought and took a look again at that mug. “I’ll take it.” I said to my husband. “Julia Cameron says I can.” No, not really, but the perspective she offered in the book helped me see this situation, and those that have followed, a bit differently than before.
I have used that mug for my morning coffee every day since I bought it. The stress I felt about spending $20 on a mug is gone. At least twice a week I find myself saying “I feel so luxurious drinking my coffee out of this mug.” And I always say it with a smile. $20 for a lifetime (potentially, as long as I don’t break it!) of luxury each morning. That’s a small price to pay, don’t you think?
Leads me to believe luxury is more a matter of the mind, rather than a matter of big expensive material possessions.
What makes you feel luxurious –no matter how much or little it cost?
Well, as I read this I’m sitting here drinking coffee from my favorite cup Stacey! And having a small piece of dark chocolate.
And the dark chocolate is significant because that’s a luxury that I’ve recently splurged on more often. Not that long ago, I would tell myself - this is too expensive. I don’t need it. And I don’t need it, just like you don’t “need” your coffee cup. But I do see it as a small price to pay for an experience I really do enjoy. And I don’t regret it at all…
One more example of luxury, this one without cost. Looking at the stars. There is something about the sky that is very awe-inspiring for me. This is especially a luxury when I visit areas that are less populated, where the stars really shine bright. And I take that opportunity to make sure I look up and appreciate their beauty. The few seconds, or minutes, it takes is a cost that is all worth it.
Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
I would SOOO get the mug! I find true luxury in my morning coffee and I am all about the cup too. I think we all need a little splurge now and then and give ourselves whatever it is that makes us feel decadent. WE are worth it!
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I agree - I think luxury is in how you are able to experience things. So, your $20 mug is part of your daily coffee ritual, just as is the time you spend enjoying it. As someone who drinks way too much coffee from paper cups, a beautiful mug seems like a very luxurious thing!
Linda Merrill from ::Surroundings::s last blog post..Elegant Kitchen on a budget
It’s funny, as we are so alike in so many ways. I’d be doing the exact same thing, and my husband would be saying the exact same thing. Recently I’ve been working to reevaluate what makes me happy and so many times it’s the small things in life like a $20.00 mug. I too have one that makes me happy that I just got at a farm in Vermont. I stood there going ‘But we have so many mugs’ but it FELT good and I loved it, and it reminded me of our trip.
I too have used it every chance I get and my husband likes it so much he wants to go back for another one next year.
I think as I’ve aged it’s the smaller things like this that I take pleasure in, very different from my early 20s where it was all about labels and clothes!!!
Great perspective. I love that mug. I think gourmet coffee can be a small luxury in and of itself. It’s more expensive than a Folger’s-type brand, but if you are enjoying the experience so much more, it is probably worth the extra cost!
The only thing better than the coffee is the mug we drink it from. Yes, you were correct in your purchase. Now, get me one and UPS it to me. LOL…
A massage!
I love the perspective..
Mark Salinass last blog post..The Active Child with Rosabel Yip
And here I was thinking I was the only one with luxurious thoughts about coffee and mugs!
@ Lance - ah, yes, chocolate is definitely luxurious, and I imagine chocolate under the stars could be the ultimate!
@Annette - yes we ARE worth it you are right…sometimes we need a simple reminder. I enjoyed your blog, look forward to returning!
@Linda - sounds like it’s time to get you a “real” coffee mug!!
@Amy - my husband bought one, too, brought it to work and chipped it on first use! Yes, I’ve noticed the difference as I get older, too.
@Enjoying Coffee - I agree - there is nothing better than good coffee to go in that mug. Ever since we traveled to Costa Rica, we get it shipped in. I love it.
@GrantGriffiths - Thanks - unfortunately I’m heading back up there the week after the market closes! Alas, maybe next year you’ll get your mug!
@Mark - Oh, yes, there is definitely a lot of luxury in a massage!
I read “The Artist’s Way” and loved it. I know what you mean about the mug. It’s one thing not to want to overspend, but it’s another to refuse to indulge in simple pleasures that really aren’t as expensive as we make them out to be. Having a great mug is very important, and your mug is beautiful. I have a chair that I bought that is sort of like a chaise long. It was a bit expensive but I sit in it every day to read and watch TV. And every time I sit in it I think to myself: “This chair is so comfortable.” So it was definitely worth it!
Marelisas last blog post..How to Make Decisions
First…it’s been years since I participated in an Artist’s Way workshop. I think I need to dig out my book.
Second, I go both ways when it comes to luxury. Luxury for me can be a simple cup of coffee in the morning or curling up with my inexpensive but luxurious down comforter. I do however also like to spend money on daytrips to the spa, ocean side resorts, and my most luxurious item of the year – my annual mini vacation when I go on vacation all by myself.
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..Personal Development Mantra
(I need to revisit the artists way….it’s b een a year or so & I always ‘discover’ new things when I read it depending on the eyes through which I’m viewing at the time)
For me, since becoming a mama, it is simply a QUIET ALONE MOMENT.
Sure it can be a pricey on (pedicure) but a cheap on works just as well, too (like right now).
MizFits last blog post..The winner of the Concept2 rowing shorts is (not being presented by Will Ferrell &)….
I buy very little now. I have my posessions down to what is really important to me. Therefore, if I find an item that calls to me, truly calls to me like your mug, I buy it. Be it $1 or $100 or $1000.
As for feeling luxurious? Along the coffee lines, the Urbane Lion and I really enjoy our daily espresso. He had ordinary, buy anywhere espresso cups. I introduced him to my grandmother’s antique porcelain demi-tasse cups. We only use those now. Yes, they are antique. Yes, they are likely worth a pretty penny, but I don’t care. They are beautiful, they have sentimental value, and somehow the espresso tastes that much better out of them.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Sugar and salt, it ain’t my fault!
What an excellent post! I love it! And I totally covet that mug!
I have a couple sort of like it but yours…it’s beautiful, and the colours are my favourite, too. Drinking tea from mine makes the whole experience different - heightened, you know?
I have the exact struggles as you did and it was so refreshing, so freeing, even, to read your newfound perspective on this. Thank you!
I’m with Panther, too. I buy very little and keep only what is dear to me. I buy only what really evokes a passion in me, for a couple of reasons.
Those are the best purchases because you never lose that deep appreciation or even mounting excitement when using or enjoying it. A book, a new handbag (I have only one now, and I don’t plan on replacing it anytime soon - it’s my pride and joy!), a special pen, a notebook, a mug, a flowering plant for the gardens.
What gives me the absolute most pleasure right now is our house. It was a bit of a miracle that we got it and although it’s outdated and needs a bit of work, and although we moved in almost a year ago, I still find myself mentally hugging her, literally kissing the floor, lounging in her as though she were a silk bathrobe.
stephs last blog post..Finding Your Voice – And Sticking with It
Steph,
On my 30th birthday, (Newly divorced and alone) I bought myself a present at a craft faire for a one of a kind all wool brighly colored sweater coat in indigo,purple, black and blue swirls. I paid $100 for it and at the time and chided myself with guilt for the cost. But what the heck, if I didn’t buy myself a present that year, it wasn’t happening. 17 years later I STILL get OOHS and AHHS for it and if you average out the cost per year now its less then ten dollers per year for something that has been priceless in pleasure. When we learn to be true to what really gives us pleasure, we find we can do without the rest. It isn’t the money, its the stirring that meets us inside.
I’m glad I could re-introduce you to the Artist’s Way! It really helped me a lot. And welcome to those who are new here - thank you for stopping by!
@Marelisa - isn’t that the truth - if you comment on how wonderful something is everytime you sit in it or use, then you know it was a good purchase.
@MizFit - I hear that one a lot from the mom’s I know - I hope you are able to get it when you need it!
@Urban Panther - that is so wonderful - too many people I know save the “good stuff” for a special occasion. I believe everyday a special occasion.
@Wendi Kelly - 17 years later - that’s incredible! I couldn’t agree more - it’s how it makes you feel that’s important.
@Steph - thank you! I love the mug and everyday love drinking from it. Our house is like that for me, too. I find myself, even 5.5 years later walking down the stairs saying “I love this house!”. Isn’t it nice to have something that makes you feel like that?
I collect old Matchbox Cars (the ones from the 60’s that pre-date Hot Wheels). The ones I used to play with as a kid.
The good ones are not easy to find in antique/collectible shops, and they’re not cheap, either. ($20-$50 each, sometimes!) …OUCH!
Every once in a while, I might find a good stash for sale, and I might blow $100-$200. (Not too often, though…maybe every 2-3 years).
I feel a bit of guilt when I do this (I dont’ absolutely NEED these toy cars). They’re of absolutely no practical use. But I WANT them.
I put them on my bookshelf, and over the years, I’ve got quite a collection.
It always gives me a bit of joy, when I look at them and pick them up.
It brings back memories of simpler, innocent days gone by. I feel like I’ve re-discovered the long-lost toys I used to play with in the sandbox.
Friars last blog post..The Parking Nazi