A "splurge" vacation
Looking up at a palm tree beneath a clear blue sky.
Oxford Languages defines splurge as “an act of spending money freely or extravagantly.” I want to add a little nuance, having just come home from a vacation that I would definitely consider to be a splurge.
It all comes back to the concept of the fulfillment curve. This inverted U-shaped curve tells us that there are things we need to buy for survival. There are things we buy to make our lives more comfortable. And then there are things we choose to buy when we really want to treat ourselves — these are luxuries.
One thing to notice: survival, comfort, and luxury don’t have specific price tags and these terms can mean different things to different people.
Survival items are necessities but they aren’t necessarily cheap. Homes (whether we’re buying or renting) are incredibly expensive in Toronto, but we need a place to live to survive our harsh winters.
Comfort for some might mean a home with more space or more amenities. For me, it means a tiny condo in a neighbourhood with a high walk score. That’s because I find comfort in ease (a small home means there’s less to clean and maintain) and convenience.
Luxury is where I’ve really shifted my mindset over the years. I used to find luxury in lavish vacations and Chanel bags. These days, I find luxury in simple things — treating myself to a puzzle or to a relaxing in front of the TV with some delicious takeout.
So when hubby suggested we take an all-inclusive trip down south this winter, he was fully expecting us to book a cheap vacation (he loves a good deal!). I did some research and suggested that we go to Xcaret Arte, a resort in the Riviera Maya that came highly recommended by my former colleague and friend. The catch? The price was 2-3 times what hubby was expecting.
I’m someone who loves simple things, yes — but I’m also keen on the concept of value. This was the first trip in 15 years where we wouldn’t have to worry about leaving our pets behind. We’re hoping to welcome a furry creature into our family this year so this may be the last out-of-country vacation we take for a long time. I wanted to choose something we would really enjoy. I wanted us to treat ourselves. I didn’t just want comfort, I wanted luxury.
We splurged and it was incredible. Even hubby agreed that it was worth every penny.
Let’s circle back to the Oxford Languages definition: an act of spending money freely or extravagantly. Here’s what’s not sitting right with me:
The word “freely” carries a connotation of being cavalier with money. While I consider our trip to be a splurge, it was a thoughtfully considered decision — with value and worth being key factors.
The word “extravagantly” carries a connotation of excess. While we certainly could have spent less money, there were also tons of options that were more expensive. We booked something within our budget that checked all our boxes.
What I want to convey here is that a “splurge,” like “comfort” and “luxury,” can carry different price tags and can mean different things to different people.
Naturally, I reflected a lot on the concept of value while we were away. What would make this trip “worth it” for me? And I was pleasantly surprised by three desires that surfaced when I listened deeply to what I wanted out of my time away.
Hubby has always loved all-inclusive resorts. He could spend all week at the beach or by the pool and not get bored. I’m much more antsy. I need to spend a bit of time away from the resort to truly enjoy it. Xcaret Arte is an “All-Fun Inclusive” resort, which means there are many activities included in the price. We went to three parks that featured nature walks, water slides, ziplines, and other fun adventures. We did two workshops and dabbled in ceramics and weaving. And of course, much to hubby’s delight, we still had plenty of time to hang out at the beach and pools.
I’ve always associated all-inclusive resorts with alcohol. That was fine in my 20s and 30s when I was really into drinking, but now that I’m nearing 50, I’m noticing that booze makes me feel like crap. Instead of trying to drink our money’s worth in alcohol, hubby and I ended up “dry tripping” — the Gen Z term for sober vacations. We got our fill of juices and sodas agua frescas and mocktails and sparkling water. Everything was delicious and I spent the entire trip feeling great (i.e., not hungover).
Another fun thing I’ve noticed as I’m getting older: I’m very sensitive to heat now and I have a strong aversion to getting sunburned. The last time I was in Cancun (in my 20s, fresh out of undergrad), my friend and I got burned to a crisp and turned into lobsters. I refused to burn any part of my body on this trip — not even the tip of my nose or my hairline. I slathered on sunscreen, tried to stay in the shade, and covered up as much as I could. It worked! No discomfort, no pain, no peeling.
So what made this vacation “worth it” for me? I tuned in to myself before booking the trip, and I respected my preferences while I was away. I think that’s what value really boils down. What do I think I’ll best enjoy? What’s worth the price to me? How do I listen deeply to myself so I can derive the most pleasure in my current environment?
Upon reflection, I’d like to offer an alternative definition of splurge: a carefully considered decision to treat yourself to something that you find luxurious.
This month’s reflective questions
What do comfort and luxury mean to you? How do you use money in a way that brings you value? What are some things you enjoy splurging on?
Wishing you fulfillment,
