We’d all love to be sipping a Margarita in a jungle wellness retreat, draped in linen, dramatically contemplating life’s mysteries. But for most of us—especially busy, time-poor women juggling work, family, and the never-ending mental load—the idea of indulging à la White Lotus is laughable.
But with the release of the hit show’s third season on Binge recently, we’ve decided to throw up our hands and follow the dream; embracing a little bit of the aesthetic, mindset, and unapologetic leisure (without quitting jobs or, you know, committing crimes).
Here’s how to infuse a touch of White Lotus living into your everyday life, in ways that actually fit your schedule.
Create quiet luxury moments (that are crucially quick and easy)
White Lotus characters don’t rush—they float. Steal that energy by adding small moments of intentional slowness into your day. A handful of ideas below:
- Five minutes of sunrise or sunset appreciation—outside, or just through your window
- Curated background music—jazz, classical, or a moody soundtrack while you cook
- A proper check in with an old friend on the phone. Seriously, this is tonic for the soul. Why don’t we do it more??
Invest in some new threads
You might not be lounging in a Thai villa, but you can upgrade your day-to-day wardrobe with one effortless, resort-core piece and support some excellent female founders in the process.
- A linen shirt dress—easy to throw on, instantly chic. Take a squiz at Linen Social loungewear, or Nomad The Label. Or for a sophisticated, silky dinner option, we can’t go past First Nations label, Ngali.
- Oversized sunglasses—because everything feels less stressful when you have a main character moment. Check out ONEDAY for epic shades designed by women for women, and a business that gives back to girls and young women facing education barriers in Sierra Leone.
- Minimalist sandals—slip-on, effortless, no fuss. We love Twoobs for genuine comfort and style.
A quick décor upgrade
There’s something about a white outdoor couch that screams I have time to relax—even if you don’t. Whether you have a full backyard oasis or just a tiny balcony, invest in one piece of furniture that at least makes you feel like a guest at a five-star resort. (Pro tip: Scotchgard it, because unlike at The White Lotus, you don’t have a staff handling spills.)
If you want something new, the range at Luxo Living is diverse, beautifully made and affordable. The Savin outdoor sofa is hard to go past, but they also have some excellent resort-living options like this two-person ice bath (fit for any tech bro) or a great range of outdoor saunas – a doubly good option if you need 30 minutes away from the kids.
Looking for other quick décor updates? Scour Facebook Marketplace for amazing options like throw blankets, lamps or cushions that can bring the same vibe of resort living into your space at half the cost and rapid speed.
OR check out the amazing female-founded marketplace over at Global Sisters.
Schedule one unavailable hour per week
White Lotus guests are not overbooked, overstretched, or constantly reachable (except when being hounded by the Wall Street Journal for money laundering). Give yourself one hour a week where you are unapologetically unavailable. No emails. No chores. No demands. Here’s some of our suggestions:
- Read a book that has nothing to do with work or productivity
- Take a long shower/bath without someone interrupting you (and without 500 plastic dinosaurs). Extra points if you add bubbles or bath oils.
- Walk somewhere scenic with no particular purpose
Carve out a non-negotiable wellness break
Working hunched over a laptop all day with a 10-minute break to cram a sushi roll down your throat, really isn’t it. Wellness might not be possible in the form of White Lotus, but there’s no excuse for not taking at least 30 minutes during any day to invest in your health and wellbeing. A couple of quick options:
- A short meditation or breathing exercise before starting in on emails each morning
- A 30-minute Pilates break courtesy of YouTube. (Move with Nicole is a good choice as her videos are produced in locations that genuinely resemble White Lotus, so you can get the added vibe.
- A leisurely Yoga circuit at a local park
Let’s be real, escaping to a luxury resort to plot revenge in a designer wardrobe isn’t happening anytime soon, but we can White Lotus our lives in small ways that make a difference. Whether it’s outsourcing some of the mental load, embracing main-character energy, or indulging in small moments of ease, the key is owning your time like it’s a five-star experience. Despite the inevitable chaos.