Liv Walde
Despite what the masses may think, true sophistication isn’t just about sipping champagne in a Parisian cafe or owning a wardrobe filled with designer labels.
It’s a subtle quality, a blend of experiences, knowledge, and a certain je ne sais quoi that sets you apart.
While there’s no definitive guide to becoming a sophisticated and classy individual, certain life experiences can certainly nudge you in the right direction.
So, tell me, have you ever…
1) Written a handwritten note / love letter
In today’s digital age, a handwritten note is a precious rarity.
So, have you ever taken the time to put pen to paper, expressing your gratitude or appreciation with thoughtful words and elegant calligraphy?
Have you ever swapped your ‘Ur so sxy babe xx’ text for a three-page expose of your love and lust and everything in between?
Even if your handwriting is as illegible a a teenage boy’s, a well thought out handwritten note shows you value personal connection and understand the power of a tangible gesture.
Get writing, folks!
2) Kept feeding an insatiable curiosity
A sophisticated person is a lifelong learner.
And rather than a one-off life experience to tell the grandkids about, if you’re the type to…
Regularly find yourself engrossed in a book about a topic you knew nothing about…
Or spend hours researching a random question that popped into your head…
Or get so enamored in listening and learning about a new perspective someone has chosen to share with you…
So much so that you find the hours flying by, then consider yourself a curious kitten.
Classy people tend to be known for their airs of sophistication owing to being in possession of an incredibly open and interested mind.
They use their manners and cordiality not only for politeness, but also as means to genuinely explore new waves of thought or new opinions.
3) Had an earthshattering conversation
Forget polite debates over dinner; I’m talking about a dialogue so profound it left you questioning everything you thought you knew.
It could be a heart-to-heart with a stranger on a park bench, a spirited discussion with a philosopher in a smoky café, or even a playful exchange with a child that made you see the world through fresh eyes.
Whatever the exact situation, if you’ve walked away from a debate or a discussion reeling (in a good way), you can count yourself in as being open-minded, worldly, and curious – all pillars of sophistication.
4) Gotten comfortable with silence
This isn’t just about turning off your phone (although there’s merit in that!) or sneaking away to a quiet corner in a library.
It’s about encountering a silence so profound it feels like the world itself is holding its breath.
Sophisticated and classy people don’t live on their phones, and when they do feel the itch of social media addiction begin to rise, they know when it’s time to detox.
Whether that’s just slipping their mobile into a drawer for a week or spending a week at a silent retreat in the desert, they’re very capable of getting reacquainted with nature and leaving the digital world behind.
In addition, sophisticated and classy individuals tend to maintain their cool composure owing to an interest in practices such as mindfulness.
They tend to engage regularly in acts such as journaling or meditation, all of which contribute to their thoughtful composure and ability to shrug of heightened emotions with ease.
5) Found beauty in ‘boring’
A sophisticated person appreciates the simple elegance of everyday life.
They don’t need fine wine and dining or baroque paintings to tickle their fancies.
Their breath is stolen away just as much by streaks of sunlight rippling off running water, or fresh and bouncy clouds turning into bunnies and babies overhead?
True sophistication is about finding joy in the ordinary, seeing beauty in the unexpected, and recognizing the artistry in the everyday.
And if you’re trying to cultivate a little more appreciation of your own, consider immersing yourself in more gratitude and mindfulness.
Appreciating the little things can go a long way in helping you embrace a higher level of sophistication!
6) Forgiven someone who didn’t deserve it (and genuinely meant it)
This isn’t about being a pushover or a closure-craver.
It’s about understanding that forgiveness is liberation.
Because the truth of the matter is that resentment and ill-will are both heavy burdens to bear.
And whilst there’s some immoral satisfaction in turning your nose up at those who have wronged you and wishing never to speak to them again, sophisticated and classy people choose option B.
And option B is all about about choosing to release the burden of anger and resentment – not for the sake of the other person – but for your own peace of mind.
My own been-there-done-that is having made up with an ex who very much did me dirty.
Even though it wasn’t necessary, it lifted a grand old weight off my shoulders and gave me such a sense of relief.
So, whilst dragging around old wounds can be comforting, know that the truly sophisticated and classy out there know when to nobly put down their weapons and wave the white flag, and say their sorry’s!
7) Failed spectacularly (then picked yourself back up again!)
Sophistication isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about embracing your imperfections, flaws and all.
Whether a entrepreneurial business gone awry, an investment that plummeted into nothingness, or giving someone a second chance and getting bitten, know that sophisticated and classy individuals don’t beat themselves up too much about their mistakes.
Because we all stumble, fall, and make monumental mistakes.
The truly sophisticated among us have the courage to acknowledge their failures, learn from them, and come back stronger than ever.
On what makes up sophistication & class
Sophistication, it seems, isn’t found solely in Michelin-starred restaurants or black-tie galas.
It’s woven into the fabric of unique experiences – those moments that challenge us, humble us, and ultimately, refine us.
So, if you’ve had any of these experiences, consider yourself a member of an exclusive club – a club of individuals who have ventured beyond the ordinary and embraced the extraordinary.
But even if you haven’t, it’s never too late to embark on your own journey of self-discovery and cultivate the qualities that make a truly sophisticated and classy individual.
Just remember, true sophistication is not about what you own or where you’ve been, but about who you are and how you choose to engage with the world.
