Lifestyle Trends
Explore the latest in mindful living, digital family life, sustainable travel, and more with Fortune.org’s Lifestyle section. Discover trends and insights to enhance your everyday life.
🛍️ Major Retailers Shift Focus to “Emotional Shopping” Experiences
In a post-pandemic landscape, major U.S. retailers are redesigning their storefronts to prioritize what insiders are calling “emotional shopping.” Brands like Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and even Target are investing in ambient lighting, scent profiles, and sensory-friendly layouts aimed at rekindling in-person consumer habits.
“We’re not just selling clothing,” said a Nordstrom spokesperson. “We’re selling moments people remember.”
Industry analysts believe this trend is a direct response to e-commerce fatigue. While online shopping remains dominant, foot traffic in curated retail districts is up 14% year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Behavioral economists warn, however, that emotional appeal could blur the line between healthy spending and impulse buying. Advocacy groups are calling for clearer signage on payment plans and “buy now, pay later” offers.
Still, for millions of shoppers, a return to tactile experience is welcome. And retailers are betting big that smell and soundtrack will close the sale.
🏠 More Americans Turning to “Solo Nesting” as Home Design Trend Surges
A new housing trend is taking root across urban and suburban America: “solo nesting.” With a record number of adults living alone — nearly 29% according to the U.S. Census Bureau — homebuilders and interior brands are responding with products tailored to single-resident households.
From convertible furniture to downsized appliances, the solo-nest movement is changing how the $500 billion home goods industry markets everything from couches to cookware.
“It’s not about downsizing — it’s about personalization,” said interior designer Karina Bell. “A solo nester isn’t compromising. They’re curating.”
Social platforms like Pinterest and TikTok have seen spikes in searches for “studio sanctuary” and “quiet luxury.” Meanwhile, retailers like IKEA and West Elm are rolling out micro-living collections aimed at independent homeowners under 40.
Housing developers are taking notice, too. In cities like Austin and Seattle, zoning proposals now include more single-unit dwellings with custom features like built-in reading alcoves and compact gourmet kitchens.
Experts say solo nesting isn't a fad — it's the new normal for a generation that prizes independence as luxury.
From Xbox to Kitchen Table: Life in the Malloy Lane
The morning after my youngest son’s birthday, the house looked like a mashup of a party store and a tech startup: pizza boxes, crumpled ribbon, a half-drunk Mountain Dew next to a USB-C cable, and a Magic: The Gathering deck tucked under a phone charger. Somehow, this is what normal looks like now.
The boys — one dark-haired and built like a swimmer, the other blond and square-jawed with the metabolism of a garbage disposal — were already locked into an Xbox racing game by 9 a.m. Birthday week rules. They each had a controller in hand, feet on the coffee table, and matching grins that meant smack talk was imminent.
It’s five years post-pandemic, and we’re still in the era of stay-at-home hustle. Except now, it’s less about fear and more about frictionless living. One minute the boys are hurling insults in 4K ultra-HD, and the next they’re across the kitchen table debating mana costs in Magic: The Gathering like two old wizards haggling over spell damage.
The Xbox was phase one. Phase two: tabletop strategy. There’s a kind of ceremony to the way they clear space, unwrap the cards, set up the battlefield. No phones. No TikTok. Just pure analog conflict. In this house, “enchantment” isn’t a mood — it’s a card type. And “untapping your lands” is not a euphemism.
After Magic, the house starts to shift into “real life” mode. The older one throws on his red swim trunks — lifeguard gig out at the local pool. The younger laces up boots and heads to a construction site where he’s an assistant to an HVAC crew — lifting, learning, sweating. They come back dirty, sunburned, and bragging. I let them. They’ve earned it.
Evenings, though? We all plug back in. The older one’s learning Python and grinding LeetCode in between pool shifts — dreaming of tech internships and a self-built crypto bot. The younger’s dabbling in YouTube shorts and showing me a dropshipping spreadsheet he swears will “print money by December.” It won’t. But I nod. Because I see the spark. Everyone’s trying to build something now. Everyone’s trying to monetize.
Even me. Between freelance gigs and media work, I occasionally find myself running a digital slot machine on a side monitor — just for the dopamine. Not for profit. I already know the house wins. I just like the illusion that something’s about to line up.
The glue in all of this? My wife. She’s a 40-year-old Filipina nurse who somehow manages to be five places at once. Twelve-hour shifts, late-night charting, and still home in time to make sinigang or ribeye, depending on who’s winning the dinner debate. She’s taken over the mothering duties with strength and grace. Gentle when needed. Fierce when it counts.
She’s also the in-house barber.
As I type this, she’s standing behind me with clippers in one hand and a comb in the other, trimming my hair like it’s a normal Wednesday — because, somehow, it is. She hums a little while she works. I pretend not to be deeply moved by it. But I am.
There’s no script for how to raise kids in this digital-quasi-post-COVID-crypto-gig economy. We’re making it up as we go. Blending analog rituals with digital dreams. Watching Magic cards shuffle on one table while crypto charts spike on another.
In the Malloy house, life isn’t perfect. But it’s rich. Loud. Funny. Alive. The boys are growing. The wife is grounding. And I? I’m just trying to hold the whole thing together, one slot spin and one haircut at a time.
Sustainable Travel: Exploring the World Responsibly
With international travel booming again in 2025, a new kind of jet-setter is emerging—one who packs a conscience with their passport. Sustainable travel isn’t just a niche; it’s a growing movement. This year, 60% of travelers say they now factor environmental impact into their vacation planning.
Destinations like Costa Rica are leading the charge, powering 80% of their tourism sector with renewable energy. “Today’s traveler wants to leave a place better than they found it,” says Maria Soto, an eco-tourism consultant. “It’s not about guilt—it’s about legacy.” Green travel now represents a $12 billion industry worldwide.
What does responsible travel look like? Start by choosing destinations that hold green certifications. Iceland, for example, offsets 100% of its tourism-related carbon emissions. Meanwhile, Bhutan limits visitor numbers to protect cultural heritage and ecosystems, showing that sustainability and exclusivity can go hand in hand.
Transportation choices matter. Opt for public buses, trains, or EV rentals instead of internal flights or gas-powered cars. In Norway, 70% of all rental vehicles are now electric, helping reduce tourism-related emissions dramatically. Even how you pack can have an impact—a suitcase 10 pounds lighter can cut your per-flight emissions by 5%.
Local economies benefit too. Travelers are increasingly bypassing global hotel chains in favor of family-run guesthouses, community lodges, and agritourism homestays. “Each dollar spent locally has a ripple effect,” says Soto. In 2024 alone, sustainable tourism contributed over $1.2 billion to community economies worldwide.
Souvenirs can be sustainable too. Choosing handmade goods from artisans, shopping at local markets, and avoiding mass-produced imports support livelihoods without adding unnecessary shipping or plastic waste. And ditching single-use plastics—like bottled water or hotel toiletries—goes further than you think.
Travelers are also seeking cultural depth. Rather than hitting ten cities in ten days, slow travel encourages longer stays, deeper immersion, and reduced emissions from constant transport. Volunteering, language exchanges, and conservation tourism are also gaining momentum among younger, purpose-driven travelers.
In short, sustainable travel isn’t about sacrificing comfort—it’s about intentional choices. As global mobility increases, our responsibility grows too. The next great adventure should also be a conscious one.
Agriculture Spotlight: South Dakota Farming Insights
This week, we’re focusing on South Dakota farming leaders as part of our ongoing investigation into the world of agriculture. From family-owned farms to innovative practices, South Dakota’s agricultural landscape offers valuable insights. Next week, we’ll explore the farming practices of Asia, highlighting global trends and challenges.
South Dakota's Farming Landscape: A 2022 Snapshot
South Dakota boasts 28,299 farms across over 42 million acres, with an average farm size of 1,495 acres. In 2022, these farms generated $12.9 billion in agricultural product sales, with 81% being family-owned, as reported by fortune.org contributor Kelly Fortune.
Top Crops and Livestock in South Dakota
Corn, cattle, and soybeans lead South Dakota’s agricultural output, contributing to $14.7 billion in cash receipts in 2022. The state inventoried 3.5 million cattle and calves, with ranches like Fortune Triangle S Ranch in the Badlands producing high-quality Angus seed stock.
Sustainable Farming Gains Momentum
Innovative practices are transforming rural economies in South Dakota, where 1,945 farms use renewable energy systems. Organizations like the South Dakota RC&D support these efforts, helping farmers improve the region’s economy and environment.
TRUE NORTH:
Building the Business, Baking the Bread
Conservative women are rewriting the rules, building businesses from home while raising families. In "True North: Building the Business, Baking the Bread," Libby Vale explores how faith, family, and financial freedom align—proving that grace, grit, and ambition can coexist around the family table. Read the full column…
Lifestyle Tips
Automate Your Crypto Dollar-Cost Averaging
Set it and forget it — that’s the smartest way to ride the crypto rollercoaster without losing your mind (or your shirt). Instead of trying to time the market, use automatic transfers to buy a small amount of Bitcoin or Ethereum each week. It’s called dollar-cost averaging, and it smooths out the highs and lows.
Use an app or exchange that lets you schedule recurring buys. Keep the amount small — the price of a coffee or a dinner out — and treat it like a quiet investment in your future self.
Bonus move? Transfer your crypto to a self-custody wallet once a month. You’ll sleep better knowing your assets aren’t sitting on a hot exchange.
The Return of Real Food
From sourdough starters to backyard chickens, more women are trading frozen meals for hands-on nourishment. “It’s not about health—it’s about reclaiming rhythm,” says nutrition writer Hannah James. The kitchen is back in the spotlight, and this time, it’s sacred ground.
Homeschool Isn’t Fringe—It’s Flourishing
A record number of families are now homeschooling—not because they’re opting out, but because they’re opting in. With flexible curriculums and faith-forward communities on the rise, moms are building classrooms where family and freedom lead the lesson.
Mornings Matter Again
Forget the 5 a.m. productivity hustle—this new wave of morning routines is rooted in Scripture, stillness, and strong coffee. Libby Vale explores how conservative women are redefining “me time” into something deeper: margin, meaning, and a home that runs on peace.
The Daily Suburban
