why i treat luxury jewelry like a business strategy (not just a splurge)

A few years ago, I started a tradition: every time I do something big or open a new chapter, I buy myself a piece of luxury jewelry (-:

The first piece? A Cartier necklace when I was 23, after quitting my corporate job to finally chase my dreams (e.g., content creator!) FYI - full Instagram post is here!

$2.5k felt huge to me back then — especially as someone who grew up on government assistance (read: food stamps with my single mom). I remember staring at that price tag, my heart racing, calculating how many months of groceries that represented. The weight of that decision felt immense, almost reckless. But something inside me whispered that this wasn't just about buying jewelry — it was about rewriting my story.

Here she is!!

Cartier gold love necklace

Growing up, luxury felt like something that happened to other people. I'd walk past high-end boutiques with my mom, pressing my nose against the glass, wondering what it would feel like to belong in those spaces. We'd joke about being "window shopping millionaires," but underneath the laughter was a deep longing — not just for beautiful things, but for the security and confidence they seemed to represent.

But I’ve learned that, in the grand scheme of life? $2.5k is really nothing.

And here's some more thinking: Why wait 1–2 more years until you "deserve" it?

Wear it now, and enjoy it for longer.

I've watched too many people postpone joy, waiting for some mythical moment when they'll finally be "worthy" of their desires. They tell themselves they'll buy that beautiful bag after the promotion, take that dream vacation when they’ve cut back on enough restaurant visits first, or treat themselves to something special when they hit some arbitrary milestone. But what if that moment never comes? What if we're already worthy, right now, in this messy, imperfect, beautifully human moment?

The psychology behind this mindset shift is *actually* profound. When we invest in ourselves before we think we've "earned" it, we're essentially placing a bet on our future selves. We're saying, "I believe in where I'm going, and I'm going to act like the person I'm becoming." It's a form of manifestation that goes beyond visualization — it's embodied belief.

Luxury can be a tool — it can motivate you to do more, level up your identity, and help you think about success differently.

There's something magical about how our external environment shapes our internal reality. When I wear that Cartier necklace, I don't just feel more confident — I literally carry myself differently. My posture changes. My voice becomes more assured. I take up space in rooms I might have previously shrunk in. It's not about the brand or the price tag; it's about the story I'm telling myself about who I am and what I'm capable of.

Can you relate?! Have you ever gotten yourself that thing that makes you feel this way?

This isn't materialism — it's strategic psychology (!). Every successful person I know understands the power of environmental design. They invest in beautiful offices, quality clothes, and experiences that align with their aspirations. They understand that our surroundings either elevate us or diminish us, and there's rarely a neutral ground.

And yes… that means taking that dream vacation, buying yourself that nice thing, investing in your living space and wardrobe.

It's like spending time in beautiful spaces: your energy naturally rises to match the vibe (and this is why I lived in Dubai for a few months!)

Dubai taught me something profound about the relationship between environment and ambition. Walking through those huge gleaming malls, sipping cappuccinos in cafes that looked like art installations, living in spaces designed with intentional luxury— it all recalibrated my sense of what was possible (sooo important for someone like me who grew up very broke). I wasn't just a tourist; I was conducting an experiment in my own identity.

How would you show up differently if you lived as if you already belonged in these spaces?

More than anything, it's a signal to yourself: You are worth it. You deserve beautiful things.

This is the heart of it all. We live in a culture that teaches us to earn our worth through productivity, achievement, and external validation (hello, corporate America!).

But what if worthiness isn't something we have to earn? What if it's something we're born with, something that's our birthright as human beings?

That Cartier necklace wasn't just jewelry — it was my declaration of independence from a scarcity mindset that had been passed down through generations of struggle. It was me saying, "The story ends here. I'm rewriting the script." Every time I put it on, I’m choosing abundance over lack, possibility over limitation, faith over fear.

What happened next?

I built a business from $0 to $100k in under 6 months.

I solo traveled the world, and got to live in London, Dubai, Southeast Asia.

I met a partner who recently upgraded me to a Van Cleef motif necklace, saying, "Cheers to your next chapter."

The business growth wasn't just about strategy or luck — it was about the person I had become.

When you truly believe you deserve success, you show up differently. You price your services appropriately. You don't apologize for taking up space. You attract opportunities that match your energy.

Solo traveling taught me that I could trust myself to navigate uncertainty. Each city became a classroom in resilience, adaptability, and self-reliance. London showed me vibes and culture. Dubai revealed possibility and ambition. Southeast Asia taught me about warmth, presence, and gratitude. But more than anything, these experiences proved that I was capable of creating any life I could imagine.

And that Van Cleef necklace? It represents something even more beautiful than the first piece. It's a symbol of being truly seen and celebrated by someone who recognizes your worth. It's proof that when we bet on ourselves, we give others permission to bet on us too.

It all started by choosing to believe in myself — and backing that belief with action (and maybe a little sparkle!!).

Belief without action is just wishful thinking. But action without belief is exhausting and unsustainable, too.

The magic happens when we marry the two — when we feel the fear and buy the necklace anyway, when we invest in our dreams before we have proof they'll work out, when we treat ourselves like the success story we're still writing.

That first piece of jewelry was more than an accessory — it was a bridge between who I was and who I was becoming. It was a daily reminder that I had already made one of the most important decisions of my life: to believe in my own potential.

So here's your permission slip: You don't have to wait to become "more" first. Invest in yourself now. The rest will follow!

Your permission slip isn't just about buying jewelry, of course. It's about whatever form of self-investment speaks to your soul. Maybe it's the online course you've been bookmarking for months. Maybe it's the business coach who costs more than you think you can afford. Maybe it's the beautiful workspace that makes you feel like the professional you're becoming. Maybe it's simply the belief that you deserve to take up space in this world.

The universe responds to bold moves. It rewards those who bet on themselves before they have guarantees. It opens doors for people who are already walking toward their dreams, not waiting for permission to begin the journey.

You are worthy of beautiful things. You are worthy of your dreams. You are worthy of investing in yourself, right now, exactly as you are.

With love & sparkle, Linda ✨