What exactly does it mean to be “chic?” Is it the perfume you wear? Having a clean manicure? Is it the career you achieve, or the design choices you make in your home?

While all of these things are nice, they don’t fully give that unique air to a person. A chic lifestyle is to have a quiet confidence in how you carry yourself and how you treat others. It’s the intentionality in the words you choose to use (or not use). It’s the determination in how you spend your time. It’s choosing to become who you want to be remembered as later in life.

I would not consider myself “uber-chic,” but I am choosing habits in my life now that I hope will build towards the my legacy. Someday, I want my son to remember me as kind, softly confident, unafraid to pursue goals and dreams even through mistakes, and most of all, loving and present. To me, that is a chic lifestyle.

Okay, so practically right now, what does doing all this look like? Here are 5 habits you can start practicing now to build in elegance through the every day:

1. Pursue and Be Present in What You Love

Think of someone you know or have seen in media who you consider “chic” – are they constantly distracted? Or is their full attention in the moment, truly feeling and sensing the gifts of life around them?

This habit is a two-sided coin. First, determine and take steps towards doing what you love. For me, my first priorities are my faith and my family. So I’m going to take steps every day to pursue those things, whether that’s through getting up early to read my Bible or through playing with my son.

I also enjoy writing and creative hobbies. Take my photography for instance – I don’t currently have a shoot planned for July, so I made my own! Last week, I did a cinematic-styled shoot, with my friend as my model. I did the work of reaching out to her and asking her to model, planning the shoot, finding the location, finding childcare, and now it is happening. So pursue what you love!

The second part is to be present in what you love. It can often seem like we have a million things on our minds, and even while we’re doing what we love, our thoughts can be elsewhere. So I am working towards being more present in whatever moment I am in. When I am with my husband and son, I try to leave my phone elsewhere and interact with them without distractions. I set timeframes when I can give more of my full attention to my craft without multitasking too much.

2. Find your Inspiration Outside of Social Media

I love getting on Instagram or TikTok to learn things or find some quick inspo. My feeds are full of incredible knitters, sewists, photographers, and designers. It’s cozy and definitely full of what I love.

However, I’ve been feeling this desire lately to source inspiration and information outside of my algorithm. While it’s nice to have instant access to inspiration online, I find that it often filters in through one ear and out the other. Plus, it can be hard to find that source, pattern, or recipe again. On top of all of that, I always have to have my phone with me to access those things again.

Here are some simple ways to get inspired outside of your phone:

a. Craft or Source Books

In high school, I loved going to my local library and finding informational books about whatever craft or passion I was into at that time (there were a lot). I’d lug home a giant tote bag of books and spend hours browsing through them.

Over the past few years though, I turned to my phone for information. I hadn’t gone to the library in years because I could just find my next meal plan or sewing tutorial online.

Lately however, I missed using books. There is something about the feel of a page in your fingers, or admiring a unique illustration found only in that book, that cannot be replaced by social media. I found I liked not always having to have my phone on the counter while cooking. I liked thrifting beautiful quilting books and seeing designs and blocks I had never seen online.

Using books for your inspiration does not have to be expensive. Often you can find many books along your interests for free or very cheap. Once, I had seen a knitting book at a bookstore that had beautiful patterns, and I could not get them out of my mind (absolutely check out Alice Hoyle’s knitting book, because I’m obsessed). My library did not have it, so I simply put in a request, and within a couple of weeks, they received it in stock and I got to be the first person to borrow it. All for free! So check out your local library for cookbooks, craft books, and references galore. Or go to a thrift store and see what gems you can find. Whatever your passion, there will likely be a book for you!

b. Art

This holds true for anyone, but especially if you enjoy photography or do visual designs. Always looking at people in the same craft or niche as you, while beneficial, won’t always inspire fresh ideas. As a creative, it’s important to look at different mediums.

Composition or framing might strike you differently in a painting and inspire you to try a similar technique in your work. Or you might observe a color palette you wouldn’t have considered. Sometimes even just stepping back from your craft for a minute and admiring other forms of creativity can spark something.

So check out your local art museum, or look through free online galleries. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, for instance, has a multitude of art pieces to “view” for free on their website.

c. Films and TV Shows

As a photographer, I love noticing lighting, composition, and color grading in the films and shows I watch. Much of my “style” I have formed in my work has been influenced by a beautiful movie or TV show (looking at you, Apple TV).

Not only can this draw inspiration for you, but it also can make a film even more fun to watch because you are truly appreciating the art that went into making it. So there it is – the perfect excuse to go binge watch a riveting show!

d. Substack and Blogs

Chic girls read. There’s no getting around it. And while novels are an obvious go-to, blogs, newsletters, magazines, and Substack can all be wonderfully chic as well.

Am I plugging my blog? Partly, but also I truly love following a good blog or Substack and drawing ideas from these. An illustration or font will stand out differently than they would on Instagram. Reading someone’s post helps me learn more about them and connect mthan I would just liking their reel. Plus, it’s great for building a longer attention span. There are countless great blogs and Substacks, so find some you love and give them a follow or subscribe!

3. Curate Products and Routines You Love

It is so easy to buy whatever is trending or to never feel like you have “enough.” But building a chic lifestyle means that you spend intentionally. You don’t just buy something because it has someone’s name on it. But you also don’t always buy the cheapest option.

Chic girls invest into products and routines that they genuinely enjoy, not to achieve an elusive aesthetic, but to create and embrace their own. If able, they also know how to collect products that are not just intentional, but will also last.

Growing up, my family lived a very frugal lifestyle out of necessity. So as an adult, I would always buy the cheapest thing if I could. But I didn’t realize that I was often buying more things to replace the “bargain” I had found not long beforehand. My husband, who calls himself a “high-end thrifter” helped me learn that sometimes it is better to buy something a bit more expensive so that it truly lasts. Do I still buy generic groceries and check the sales aisles at Target or Aldi? Absolutely. But now I put in the work and do research to discover what brand or which materials will last me a long time.

4. Volunteer Somewhere

Building an elegant life is not just about the individual. Classy people think about others, their community, and actively get involved somewhere to help. The chicest thing you can do is love someone else well.

There are countless ways to serve in your community, neighborhood, or church. Think about your passions and interests, and find something that is aligned with those! It will be that much more motivating to make the time for it, and it will give you an opportunity to step outside of your circle and step into a servant-hearted mindset.

5. Practice Gratitude

Elegance is being grateful for the many beautiful parts of life, no matter how small. Taking a moment to step outside of yourself and appreciate blessings is a lovely characteristic, and it can help you walk through life with a content heart.

There are so many simple ways to integrate gratitude into your life. You can create a gratitude journal, or merge it into a journal practice you already have.

You could take a moment each morning or evening to reflect on the past 24 hours and meditate on the things for which you are grateful.

Recently, I have been enjoying practicing gratitude through the app, Gratitude Plus. I’m part of a small group at my church, and several of us have downloaded this app and created a “circle” together where we can share what we are grateful for that day. Seeing not just joys from my day, but also other meaningful moments to others is a lovely way to celebrate gratitude. It’s free to create an account, so I would definitely encourage you to check out this app.

In the end, being “chic” is more about your values and how you carry yourself from the inside-out than the clothes or hairstyle you have. These are just a few ideas for building an elegant lifestyle that will leave a legacy.

What are some habits you would suggest for “chic” inspiration? Or do you already practice some of these and if so, what tips do you have to share?