With Love, Meghan: A Study in Feel-Good Mindfulness & Lifestyle That Would Make B. Smith Proud
With Love, Meghan: A Study in Feel-Good Mindfulness & Lifestyle That Would Make B. Smith Proud
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has long been at the center of media scrutiny, but her latest venture, With Love, Meghan, offers something refreshingly different: a cozy, feel-good lifestyle series that promotes mindfulness, creativity, and the joy of simple luxuries. In many ways, it echoes the grace and vision of B. Smith, the pioneering lifestyle expert who championed a refined yet accessible approach to home, food, and wellness. But while Meghan’s show could—and should—be celebrated alongside Martha Stewart’s or Reese Witherspoon’s lifestyle brands, it has instead faced a harsh wave of criticism, much of which is undeniably rooted in racial bias.
A Mindful Retreat in a Chaotic World
In With Love, Meghan, the former actress and royal leans into intentional living, offering a gentle escape into curated beauty and simplicity. The show, filled with warm aesthetics, calming energy, and a focus on personal well-being, feels less like a high-production reality series and more like an invitation into a quiet moment of mindfulness. Cooking, crafting, and decorating are framed not as tasks but as acts of self-care, reinforcing the idea that luxury is not just about wealth—it’s about presence, creativity, and cherishing life’s small moments.
This ethos would have made B. Smith proud. A trailblazer in lifestyle branding, Smith built an empire on the belief that Black women, too, could shape the aspirational wellness and home décor space. She understood that elegance and refinement were not reserved for one demographic—they were for everyone. Meghan’s show follows that legacy, offering a similar blend of sophistication and warmth while making wellness feel both luxurious and attainable.
Why Is Meghan Held to a Different Standard?
When Martha Stewart releases a cookbook, it's seen as expertise. When Reese Witherspoon launches a lifestyle brand, it's empowering. But when —a biracial woman—creates a series centered around home, self-care, and mindfulness, the reaction is starkly different.
The backlash against With Love, Meghan is not just about the show itself; it reflects a deeper societal issue: women of color, particularly Black women, are rarely afforded the space to rest, indulge, or curate luxury without criticism. The expectation is that they should always be hustling, overcoming adversity, or performing strength, rather than simply enjoying life’s finer things.
Historically, Black women have been celebrated for their resilience but rarely for their softness. Meghan’s show disrupts this expectation—it says, we, too, can live gently, intentionally, and beautifully. And that makes people uncomfortable.
The Racism Behind the Critique
There are valid reasons why any lifestyle show might receive mixed reviews—execution, pacing, or relatability—but much of the negativity surrounding Meghan’s series is overblown compared to similar programs. Some critics call it pointless or self-indulgent—yet that same critique is rarely leveled at lifestyle content from white women who have built billion-dollar brands on baking, gardening, and home décor.
The double standard is clear: when Meghan embraces a peaceful, curated life, she is framed as out of touch; when white women do the same, they are lifestyle gurus. This pattern speaks to a longstanding racial bias that dictates who is allowed to embody ease, elegance, and wealth without backlash.
Moreover, Meghan’s very existence as a public figure challenges the notion that mindfulness, luxury, and wellness are reserved for a select few. Her presence in these spaces is radical—not because she is doing anything truly revolutionary, but because society is still uncomfortable seeing a Black woman inhabit them without having to explain, justify, or struggle for her success.
Reframing the Narrative: A Celebration of Softness
Instead of scrutinizing With Love, Meghan under a microscope, we should be celebrating it for what it is: a beautifully crafted, feel-good series that encourages intentional living. More importantly, it is a cultural shift, in a time where more and more Black women are giving themselves permission to embrace mindfulness, comfort, and joy without guilt.
B. Smith once said, “I have stood on a mountain of no’s for one yes.” Meghan, in her own way, is standing on that same mountain—refusing to let outdated narratives define what she can or cannot do. With Love, Meghan is more than just a lifestyle show—it’s an invitation. An invitation to slow down, to be present, and to redefine who gets to live beautifully.
And that’s a message worth celebrating.
Check out the show on Netflix and let me know your thoughts.