Feeling truly rich isn’t just about having a lot of money, but also feeling content and fulfilled without a massive bank account. Here’s why feeling rich might be even more satisfying than being financially wealthy.
Feeling rich every day is possibly the best financial hack there is. Once you have that sense of wealth, you won’t feel pressured to meet traditional financial milestones or earn a top-tier income.
Many people define being rich as making over $600,000 a year or having over $12 million. But wealth isn’t just about hitting these numbers. If your income or net worth is higher than 99% of people, you’re technically rich. Yet, wealth alone doesn’t guarantee happiness. It’s possible to have significant wealth and still feel miserable if personal relationships suffer as a result.
Earning a million dollars a year sounds impressive, but the sacrifice of personal freedom and constant work can diminish the appeal. Similarly, amassing a $20 million net worth can leave you feeling empty if it comes at the cost of your health.
Ideally, feeling rich and being rich would be the perfect scenario, but it’s not always possible to have both.
The Simple Joys of Feeling Rich
I’d choose feeling rich over being rich any day because wealth should ultimately lead to a purposeful and happy life. When basic needs are met, earning significantly more doesn’t necessarily increase happiness.
My own journey to feeling rich has been long. I remember the joy of being a broke student in China, feeling happy despite having little. That happiness wasn’t tied to material wealth.
In Beijing, despite the basic living conditions and intense heat, the cultural immersion was incredibly enriching. It wasn’t about what I owned, but the experiences and interactions that made me feel wealthy in spirit.
Similarly, living in a tiny studio in Manhattan felt luxurious to me because I had landed my dream job. Even though the living situation was far from ideal, the job fulfillment made me feel rich.
Strategies for Cultivating a Sense of Wealth
1. Increase Your Freedom: Freedom to choose how you live is a direct path to feeling richer. When I chose to leave my job, although my income dropped drastically, the control I gained over my time made me feel wealthier.
2. Create Something Meaningful: There’s a unique joy in creation, whether it’s crafting something with your hands or growing vegetables in your garden. For instance, my father’s pride in his fruit-bearing tree, years after he planted it, is a testament to the satisfaction that comes from creating.
3. Persevere Until You Succeed: The longer you work on something, the more fulfilling it is when you succeed. This applies to personal projects, professional achievements, and even relationships. The effort invested makes the success sweeter.
4. Cherish Relationships: Being surrounded by loved ones can make you feel incredibly rich. The support and joy that come from family and friends are priceless.
5. Contribute to Society: Providing value to the community can give a profound sense of richness that transcends financial wealth. It’s about making a lasting impact that benefits others.
6. Appreciate What You Have: Simply being grateful for your current circumstances can make you feel richer. It’s about recognizing the value of your life as it is now, rather than what it could be.
In conclusion, being rich in life isn’t solely about accumulating wealth, but also about cherishing the non-material riches that life has to offer. Whether through personal freedom, creativity, relationships, or contributions to society, these are the ways we can truly enrich our lives, making us feel wealthy beyond measure.
