…Pictures a $14 million Montecito mansion with a team of stylists, chefs, and a Netflix production crew to make everything glow. The term domestic goddess refers to someone—typically a woman—who takes pride in creating a warm, organized, and nurturing home environment. It’s a modern twist on traditional homemaking, but with an empowered, often stylish spin. A domestic goddess isn’t just about cooking and cleaning; she’s about curating a space that feels like a sanctuary, embracing routines that promote well-being, and finding joy in the everyday rituals of home life…
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The Rise of Modern Domestic Icons: From Meghan to Martha
Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, launches this Tuesday, following a delay due to wildfires near Los Angeles. The series invites viewers into her sun-drenched California home, where she’s seen arranging flowers, cooking with friends, and embracing a polished, serene domestic life.
Already generating buzz, the series has drawn comparisons to Martha Stewart, with The New York Times dubbing Meghan the “millennial Martha of Montecito.” Yet, as with much of her public ventures, reactions have been polarizing. Some view the show as tone-deaf and overly curated; others accuse her of pushing outdated ideals or being insincere. Regardless, With Love, Meghan is poised to become a streaming success — watched earnestly by fans and skeptically by critics alike.
As Meghan says in the trailer, “Everyone’s invited to create wonder in every moment.”
Meghan Markle’s foray into lifestyle programming with With Love, Meghan is only the latest chapter in a long, complicated cultural saga around the figure of the “domestic goddess.” From Martha Stewart’s empire-building rigor to Nigella Lawson’s flirtatious irony, the domestic goddess has always represented more than just homekeeping—it’s an archetype that reflects, and often challenges, our anxieties around gender, work, class, and identity.
But in 2025, this role seems more fraught than ever. The trad-wife trend—epitomized by creators like Nara Smith—blurs the line between aesthetic aspiration and ideological regression. While one viewer may see vintage ballgowns and homemade sourdough as a harmless personal preference, another sees a troubling glamorization of pre-feminist gender roles. And at the center of this swirl of admiration and alarm is a powerful question: is this really about choice and joy, or are we dressing up old expectations in new, pastel-filtered packaging?
Dr. Edith Hill rightly points out that there’s no longer a single “ideal” woman online—but that also means more women face pressure to embody some ideal, whatever their niche. The trad wife, the girlboss, the wellness influencer—all of these roles ask women to perform a version of perfection, often without acknowledging the privilege (financial, social, or digital) required to sustain it.
Meghan’s show speaks to this tension. Her message is one of beauty, presence, and mindfulness—but wrapped in the trappings of immense privilege. Even the idea that “everyone’s invited to create wonder in every moment” rings differently when it’s coming from someone whose life feels utterly inaccessible to the average viewer.
At the same time, rejecting these figures outright risks ignoring the real pleasure and agency many women find in homemaking. There’s a reason Ina Garten’s “store-bought is fine” mantra resonates. There’s a reason Nigella’s sensual, joy-first approach to food made her a national treasure. There’s even a reason With Love, Meghan will likely draw huge numbers—because amid burnout, social upheaval, and digital chaos, the fantasy of domestic order and beauty is powerfully seductive.
Ultimately, what makes a domestic goddess isn’t a checklist of chores or aesthetics—it’s the promise that your life could feel a little more whole, a little more curated, a little more controlled. That promise can be aspirational or oppressive, depending on how it’s wielded—and who’s selling it. As chimed in by a work-life balance consultant, if you want to live your life in a similar fashion—where you intentionally disconnect from work and reclaim your time—start by creating rituals that protect your peace. Set clear boundaries for your workday, just like you’d guard your front door at night. That means picking a hard stop time, turning off notifications, and refusing to be at the mercy of your inbox once you’ve clocked out. Then fill your after-hours with purpose—whether it’s walking the dog, reading in your favorite corner, or simply doing something that brings you joy and presence. Life doesn’t begin after burnout—it begins when you prioritize your well-being just as fiercely as your deadlines.
A Complicated Cultural Icon
Our fascination with women who market an idealized version of home life — often referred to as domestic goddesses — is nothing new. But in today’s climate, these figures spark more debate than ever. “What constitutes the ‘perfect woman’ online now depends on the niche,” says Dr. Edith Hill, a researcher focused on digital culture and body politics. With so many definitions of femininity, public figures like Meghan, Gwyneth Paltrow, and TikTok’s Nara Smith often find themselves both idolized and vilified.
The Modern “Trad Wife”
One of the most talked-about personalities in this domestic sphere is Nara Smith. With over 11 million followers on TikTok, Smith posts stylized videos of herself baking and raising her children — often while dressed in glamorous outfits and filmed in a dreamlike kitchen setting. Her aesthetic has been linked to the “trad wife” trend — a romanticized embrace of 1950s-style homemaking.
While visually enchanting, the lifestyle Smith promotes is clearly unattainable for most. As Hill points out, the messaging can quickly veer into problematic territory, reinforcing rigid gender norms and conservative values that may inadvertently support systems that historically oppressed women.
Still, for some, the appeal of trad-wife content may stem from deeper societal discontent. When both partners in a household must work full-time yet still juggle domestic duties, the simplicity of traditional roles — even if idealized — can feel comforting. But critics argue the root issue lies more with economic pressure than with modern feminism. These roles often depend on financial privilege, with one partner earning enough to allow the other to stay home.
The Original Lifestyle Moguls
While the trad-wife trend is making headlines today, domestic lifestyle icons have captivated audiences for decades. Martha Stewart, the original queen of homemaking advice, built a media empire on teaching people how to elevate everyday tasks. Her first book, Entertaining (1982), laid the foundation for what would become a multimillion-dollar brand covering everything from floral arrangements to CBD products.
Another prominent figure is Ina Garten, the beloved “Barefoot Contessa,” who has long inspired fans with her approachable yet luxurious take on food and hosting. Garten recently released her memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens, where she emphasizes the combination of hard work and serendipity behind her success. Her comforting cooking philosophy — summed up in her famous line “store-bought is fine” — strikes a balance between aspiration and realism.
Back in 1975, British journalist Shirley Conran took a different approach. Her book Superwoman was packed with practical shortcuts aimed at helping women manage their households without sacrificing their own time or sanity. She famously declared that “life is too short to stuff a mushroom,” encouraging women to prioritize their energy and focus.
Reclaiming the Label
Nigella Lawson added another layer to the domestic goddess narrative. Her book How to Be a Domestic Goddess (1998) was intended as a cheeky nod to the concept, but its irony wasn’t always appreciated. Lawson, now a cherished figure in British culture, has spoken about how baking can be empowering and even feminist. Her first book, How to Eat, advocated for stress-free hosting and embracing the joy of cooking.
Despite the tone — whether earnest like Meghan and Gwyneth or playful like Nigella — the “domestic goddess” title often sets an impossible standard. For many women, these icons represent both inspiration and pressure: a reminder of all the things they could do to create a beautiful home, and the many ways they may fall short.
In Meghan’s own words from the series trailer, “We’re not chasing perfection — we’re seeking joy.” But whether this message resonates or rings hollow likely depends on who’s watching… and why.
Eventually, maybe the answer isn’t to reject the domestic goddess, but to democratize her. To remind ourselves that joy, comfort, beauty, and self-expression in the home aren’t luxuries reserved for the elite, or chores to be resented—but can be small, subversive acts of self-care, creativity, and even resistance. Just—maybe hold the ballgown.
Lois Lane is a professional blogger and a seasoned Content writer for wellhousekeeping.com. With a passion for simplifying complex Home Decor topics, he provides valuable insights to a diverse online audience. With four years of experience, Lois has polished his skills as a professional blogger.
