Confession: I used to think the right handbag could fix everything.
This might sound silly, but I promise I’m not alone. Have you seen what was trending at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity? According to Business Insider’s roundup, the world’s top creative leaders practically paraded status symbols—designer totes, limited edition sneakers, maybe an exclusive smart ring or two—on red carpets and yacht decks as proof of “having made it.”
For years, I’d watch from the sidelines (or, let’s be real, my phone screen) and daydream about what those little tokens of “success” would feel like in my hands. But this summer, something changed. And it wasn’t just my Pinterest board.
The True Status Symbol I Never Saw Coming
If you’re reading Nestful, you probably already know that starting a family isn’t exactly a smooth, Instagram-filtered ride. For me, my partner, and for so many in our community, the most meaningful journeys are often the toughest, the ones that don’t come with designer logos or glossy magazine coverage.
By the time my partner and I decided to start trying for a baby, we’d traded spontaneous mini-breaks for spreadsheets of cycle tracking apps and swapped splurge dinners for ovulation test kits. I’ll admit, I clung to status symbols—a beautiful diffuser, a monogrammed journal—anything that made me feel powerful when so much felt uncertain.
But here’s what I didn’t expect: The most valuable “status symbol” I’d ever hold wasn’t a thing at all. It was a moment—a tiny, hopeful shift on a pregnancy test strip, the first time I felt real hope again after so many months of disappointment. No luxury label could compare.
When Self-Worth Isn’t Measured by Handbags
This year, the real influencers in my life aren’t on a yacht in the French Riviera—they’re in my DMs, in the Nestful forums, and in the quiet, hopeful corners of my home. They’re people who’ve embraced every way to parenthood, from IVF to adoption to at-home insemination.
And while the world’s marketers might be busy one-upping each other at Cannes, the rest of us are celebrating everyday victories:
- Scheduling our first doctor’s appointment (and actually showing up!)
- Mastering the art of patience between cycles
- Finding the nerve to try something new, like at-home insemination, when clinics feel overwhelming
- Learning to talk openly about fertility challenges, even when it’s hard
As I watched the CMO status parade on socials, I thought: What if the coolest thing you could carry isn’t a bag, but your own story?
What Matters Most: The Quiet Confidence of Doing Things Your Way
Back when we started exploring alternative paths, I was nervous to step outside the “traditional” medical setting. Would it really work? Was it safe? Would people judge?
That’s when I found resources like this guide to fertility options—which, honestly, felt like a breath of fresh air. MakeAMom, for example, isn’t about flash or frills; it’s about empowering you with well-designed, reliable tools for at-home insemination. Their kits are simple, discreet, and made to support real people, not just those who look “successful” on a yacht deck.
If you’re curious: - Their CryoBaby kit works for low-volume or frozen sperm - The Impregnator kit is meant for low motility sperm - BabyMaker is perfect for folks with sensitivities or health conditions - All their kits are reusable and shipped in plain packaging—no awkward neighbor run-ins!
But more than the hardware, what I love is the message: You don’t need anyone else’s approval (or designer anything) to make your dream of parenthood real. You’re already enough. Your story is already impressive.
Your Journey, Your Badge of Honor
I still love a fabulous pair of shoes, don’t get me wrong. But now, when I see social feeds full of status symbols, I remember that courage, resilience, and hope are way more impressive—especially in 2025, when everyone’s chasing likes instead of meaning.
Are we “making it” if we’re just following someone else’s blueprint? Or is true success forging your own path, no matter how uncertain, awkward, or off-trend it might seem?
So here’s my challenge to you: Today, celebrate your real status symbol. Whether it’s a calendar marked with cycle days, a supportive message from a friend, or your first tentative step toward something new, like at-home insemination—wear it proudly. And when you’re ready, share your story here. You never know who you’ll inspire next.
What status symbols have you let go of on your path to parenthood? What new, surprising “status” are you proudest of right now? Tell us in the comments—let’s start redefining what matters, together.