Remember when status used to mean fancy cars, designer bags, or the latest tech? Well, hold on to your (literal or figurative) hats, because 2025 is flipping the script—and it might just be the wake-up call you didn't know you needed.
Earlier this month, top marketing execs at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity were busy showcasing the newest status symbols. According to Business Insider’s inside scoop, it’s all about signaling success—whether it’s limited-edition sneakers, avant-garde watches, or even a certain brand of fancy sparkling water. But here’s my honest take: maybe it’s time we ask a bigger question.
Is Status Really What We’re Chasing?
Let’s be real—chasing symbols can feel fun and motivating in the moment. But if we’re all just scrambling to prove our worth through things, isn’t something missing? I asked myself this a lot as I scrolled through photos from Cannes, where luxury and ‘look at me’ culture is at an all-time high.
But for many of us—individuals, couples, LGBTQ+ families, or anyone on a nontraditional journey—there’s a new, far deeper form of status that’s quietly revolutionizing what it means to “make it” in life.
The Quiet Bravery of Family Building
What if the ultimate status symbol in 2025 isn’t something you can buy, show off, or even fit in your Instagram story? What if it’s the courage to create your own version of family? Because, let’s face it, that takes real guts.
Think about it: Choosing to have a child outside typical expectations, through alternative paths like at-home insemination, donor conception, or overcoming infertility, often means rewriting your own playbook—sometimes in secret, sometimes with your heart on your sleeve. That’s not just inspiring; it’s radically empowering.
Why More People Are Opting for the Unconventional
As social tides shift, “success” is being redefined in living rooms, on message boards, and in small acts of self-determination.
Here’s what’s quietly trending:
- Freedom to choose: More people are rejecting cookie-cutter timelines and opting for family their way—with or without partners, at any age, and with any combination of biology, love, and science.
- Courage to speak up: Personal stories are being shared with pride, from IVF victories to honest accounts of miscarriage, donor conception, surrogacy, and beyond.
- Access to innovation: Technology and companies like MakeAMom’s modern insemination kits are putting family-building tools in the hands of those who once felt shut out—discreetly, affordably, and with a remarkable 67% success rate.
Forget the Brand Logos—Here’s What Lasts
The truth is, no status symbol from Cannes can compare to the love, persistence, and hope that go into building a family. Sweating through paperwork, surviving two-week waits, or simply daring to say “I want this” in the face of doubt—that’s legendary.
If you’re in the trenches right now—researching your options, saving for treatments, or riding the rollercoaster of emotions—you’re already part of a bold new wave. You’re not just chasing trends; you’re creating the future.
Rewrite Your Definition of Success
Let’s get practical:
- Value the journey: However you arrive at parenthood, your story is powerful. No gold watch, sneaker drop, or luxury suite compares to it.
- Seek support: Join online communities (like ours!) or connect with organizations driven by compassion and real-life results. Having access to discreet, science-backed solutions (think MakeAMom’s reusable kits, which are also a win for your wallet and the planet) can make a world of difference.
- Be proud: It’s okay if your “status symbol” is a positive pregnancy test, a birth announcement, or even just the hope you carry. Celebrate it.
The True Power Play
So as the world obsesses over the next big “it” item, remember—you’re already in the middle of something game-changing. Building your family, your way, is the ultimate quiet flex. It’s the anthem of a generation redefining legacy, one brave choice at a time.
Still holding questions or wanting to swap stories? Join the conversation below. What status symbol will you chase this year—a fleeting trend, or the family you’ve always dreamed of?
We’d love to hear your journey. Share your thoughts, inspire others, and help us redefine what really matters in 2025 and beyond.