What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?

If you’d asked me this question when I was younger, I probably would’ve said books. Or coffee. Or maybe the internet because apparently I need to know the life story of a random actor at 2:17 in the morning.

Now?

Air conditioning.

Without hesitation.

Without debate.

Without even a second thought.

I live in Palm Springs. During the summer, stepping outside feels like opening an oven to check if the cookies are done, except the cookie is you.

People always talk about the “good old days” as if everyone was happier back then. Were they happier? Maybe. Were they sitting in a 115-degree house with no air conditioning? Also yes.

What exactly did people do before modern air conditioning?

Apparently they built thick walls, sat in the shade, opened windows at night, and accepted their fate. Personally, I would have lasted approximately six minutes before becoming a dramatic cautionary tale.

Books are wonderful. Coffee is wonderful. Streaming services are wonderful.

But none of those things stop me from becoming human beef jerky.

So if society collapses and I get one luxury item, I’m taking air conditioning. Everyone else can fight over diamonds, sports cars, and private jets.

I’ll be sitting in a perfectly climate-controlled room, “living my best life.” (Or so my ex husband says)

Assuming the power stays on.

Copyright © 2026 The Ink Chapel. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction may result in being volunteered to spend August in Palm Springs without air conditioning.

Footnote: Historians may disagree on many things, but I’m fairly certain at least one person in 1897 looked at the sun and whispered, “This is bullshit.”