The Philosophy
There’s a moment that hits you, maybe while scrolling through perfectly curated feeds or watching someone pull up in a car that gleams under city lights. You catch yourself thinking: *That’s the life.* And for a split second, you believe if you just had the right clothes, the right car, the right filter, you’d feel that way too. But after a decade of working in this space, testing every routine from 5 AM wake-ups to digital detoxes, I’ve learned something crucial: lifestyle isn’t something you buy—it’s something you build from the inside out.
The video that sparked this article, "Bien ft Scar Mkadinali - Lifestyle," is a celebration of a certain kind of success. The beat drops, the energy rises, and there’s an undeniable swagger in the way they move through their world. But what I find most compelling isn’t the flash—it’s the underlying philosophy of ownership. They’re not just living; they’re curating. Every choice, from the music they make to the people they roll with, feels intentional. That’s the real shift: moving from passive consumer to active creator of your own experience.
This philosophy resonates now more than ever because we’re drowning in options. We have access to more products, more advice, more paths than any generation before us. Yet, paradoxically, that abundance often leaves us feeling empty. What I’ve found after years of experimenting is that a meaningful lifestyle isn’t about having more—it’s about aligning your daily actions with your deepest values. It’s about knowing why you do what you do, and letting that purpose guide every decision, big or small.
The Practice
So how does this actually work in the real world, away from the music video set? Let me walk you through the practices that have transformed my own life and the lives of the creators I coach. It’s not about overhauling everything at once—it’s about layering small, intentional habits until they become second nature.
First, start with a morning ritual that grounds you before the noise begins. For me, it’s a 10-minute meditation using an app like Headspace or Calm, followed by writing three things I’m grateful for in a dedicated journal. I know that sounds simple, but I’ve tried the elaborate routines—the cold plunges, the green smoothies with 17 ingredients—and what I found is that consistency beats complexity every time. The goal isn’t to impress anyone; it’s to set a tone of calm intention for the day ahead.
Next, curate your environment. This is where the "big propeller" energy from the video comes in—you need to surround yourself with people, spaces, and tools that elevate your standards. I use Notion to organize my projects and goals, but more importantly, I’ve learned to say no to anything that doesn’t serve my core values. That means unfollowing accounts that make me feel inadequate, decluttering my physical space weekly, and only committing to social engagements that genuinely energize me. Your environment should be a reflection of your best self, not a constant source of distraction.
Finally, build in moments of reflection. Every Sunday evening, I do a 15-minute review of the past week: what worked, what felt draining, what I want to adjust. I ask myself one question: "Did I live in alignment with my philosophy this week?" If the answer is no, I don’t beat myself up—I just recalibrate. This practice has been more transformative than any productivity hack because it keeps me honest and adaptable.
Real Talk
I’d be lying if I said this is easy. There are mornings when the alarm goes off and I hit snooze three times. There are weeks when my Notion board is a graveyard of abandoned goals. The hardest part about intentional living isn’t the discipline—it’s the loneliness that can come when you start making choices that differ from the people around you.
What didn’t work for me was trying to adhere to someone else’s blueprint. I spent a year following a strict biohacking protocol that included infrared saunas, no breakfast, and exactly 8 hours of sleep tracked by a ring. It made me feel like a science experiment, not a human being. The truth is, lifestyle design falls apart the moment it becomes a chore. If your routine feels like a punishment, you’ll rebel against it eventually. I’ve seen creators burn out because they tried to maintain a "perfect" morning routine while ignoring their actual energy rhythms.
Another thing that’s hard to admit: this philosophy doesn’t protect you from pain or failure. You can have the most aligned values in the world and still lose a job, go through a breakup, or feel lost. The difference is that when you’re living intentionally, you have a compass to navigate the storm. You might still cry, but you know why you’re crying, and you know what matters to you once the tears dry.
The Transformation
When you commit to this way of living, the changes are subtle at first, then profound. Before I adopted this philosophy, I was constantly chasing external validation—more followers, more collaborations, more things. I measured my worth by the numbers on a screen. The shift happened when I realized that the feeling I was chasing—the "fresh" feeling from the video—wasn’t coming from outside. It was coming from the congruence between my actions and my values.
After a few months of consistent practice, I noticed I was calmer. The anxiety that used to buzz in my chest during quiet moments had quieted. I started sleeping better, not because of any expensive gadget, but because my mind wasn’t racing with shoulds and what-ifs. Unexpected benefits emerged: I became more creative, more generous with my time, and more present in conversations. Friends started asking, "What are you doing differently? You seem... lighter."
The most beautiful transformation is in how you handle setbacks. When a project fails or a relationship ends, instead of spiraling into self-blame, you can ask: "What does this reveal about my values? What needs to change?" You become resilient not because you’re tough, but because you have a framework for making sense of chaos. That’s the real luxury—not the car or the clothes, but the unshakeable sense that you are living your own life, not a copy of someone else’s.
Adapting It For You
One size absolutely does not fit all. I’ve worked with night owls who thrive on evening journaling and morning sleep-ins, and with early birds who can’t function without sunrise yoga. The key is to start with your own energy patterns. If you’re a creative who gets a burst of inspiration at 11 PM, don’t force a 6 AM wake-up. Your lifestyle should flex around your biology, not the other way around.
For budget-conscious creators, forget the expensive gadgets. A simple notebook and a free meditation app can give you 90% of the benefits. The tools are nice, but they’re not the point. I’ve seen people transform their lives using nothing but a $3 journal and a commitment to 5 minutes of quiet each day. What matters is the intention behind the practice.
If you’re an extrovert, lean into community. Start a weekly "lifestyle circle" with friends where you check in on your values and goals. If you’re an introvert, make your practice deeply personal and solitary. The beauty of this philosophy is that it’s infinitely customizable. The only non-negotiable is honesty with yourself.
Start Here
You don’t need to overhaul your life this week. In fact, please don’t. Start with three small steps that cost nothing but attention:
1. **Identify one value that matters most to you right now.** Is it freedom? Connection? Growth? Write it down on a sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror. Let it be your compass for the next seven days.
2. **Remove one thing from your environment that doesn’t align with that value.** If you value focus, delete a distracting app from your phone. If you value health, throw out one junk food item. One small act of curation sets the tone.
3. **Pause for 30 seconds before making any decision this week.** Before you reach for your phone, before you say yes to a plan, take a breath and ask: "Does this serve my value?" You’ll be amazed at how many automatic choices suddenly feel optional.
That’s it. Three steps. Try them for a week, and notice how you feel. The lifestyle you’re looking for isn’t in a store or a music video—it’s waiting in the quiet choices you make every day.
