Skip to main content

Money Does Lead To Happiness?

We've all heard the old saying that money doesn't lead to happiness, but does a lack of it actually lead to unhappiness?

Like most people, I have bouts of anxiety and depression from time to time.  I'm not talking about the kind of depression where you feel a little sad.  I'm talking about the kind of depression that makes it nearly impossible to get out of bed, where you sleep half the day away, and where you feel despair that homelessness is creeping around the corner.  One minute you can't eat, and the next you are eating anything that you can get your hands on.  I go from crying to feeling nothing at all. 

I recently had a relapse of anxiety combined with depression (which if you have never experienced both at the same time, you don't know what you're missing!).  For the first time in decades, I was late on my rent.  I also was behind on some bills.  I was devastated and felt useless.  I became worried that I may lose my home, really my everything.  Regardless of how realistic this fear was, it felt very real to me. 

I realized that a lack of money equates to a potential lack of security.  Lack of money, a.k.a. lack of security, was my anxiety/depression trigger.  When I was in a position of having money in regards to not having debt, having a small savings, and not being late on anything, I was very happy.  I was ecstatic when I could go to a store and buy something without worrying how much was in my account.  Keep in mind, these were small items like a shirt or a CD, but I had never had that luxury in my life, so I felt rich.  Being able to go out to Cracker Barrel, and not look at the prices was uncharacteristic and foreign to me. 

So when I had to start watching my money, a tidal wave of panic washed over me reminiscent of most my life.  The worst thing that a poor person can do is suddenly have money, because then they are constantly worried about losing it all.  (Well, second worst.  First worse is staying in need.)

But it wasn't necessarily the lack of money that was causing the distraught feelings, but the lack of stability and security.  This brought me back to thinking about what my values are, and independence and security are ranked high on the list.  Money wasn't making me happy, but knowing that I had a roof over my head and food in the fridge was.  Not having to worry about the necessities made me content and at ease. 

What I'm trying to say is money doesn't lead to happiness, but the fulfillment of your values does.  Once you realize what is important to you, if those needs are being met, you will open the door to your happiness.  Once you have happiness, you can truly experience joy. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Time Management

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” ~ Walt Disney Time is the most precious commodity that we have.   Unlike money, it is finite in supply and cannot be replenished.   Once it is gone, it is gone forever.   This is why we must make the most of the time that we have.   The great thing about time is that it is unbiased.   It does not care what your age, race, sex, income, or religion is.   You have the same as anyone else regardless.   Whether you are rich or poor, black or white, male or female, your time is the same.   It is not about how much time you have, but rather what you do with it.   Are you spending your time wisely or frittering it away?   If you found that you only had one year left to live, how would you plan on spending it?   Most of us are not given the luxury of knowing how much time we have.   Therefore, to effectively utilize it, we may want to spend it as if we only have ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Random Acts of Kindness

Much like Mindfulness and Gratitude, doing Random Acts of Kindness allows one to be in the moment and appreciative.    Most of us can get caught up in our busy lives that we forget to pay attention to the little things.    One small, seemingly insignificant act may not appear considerable at the moment, but may mean a great deal to someone who is having a bad day or feels down on their luck.    Little things can mean a lot.    The world would be a much different place if everyone took the time and effort to do something, no matter how small, for someone else every day.   Do a good deed for the day.    Go out of your way to make someone else’s day a little bit better.    Open the door for someone.    Give someone a smile, hug, or compliment.    Do at least one each day for a week.    Make someone else’s day better.   Here is a list of some examples: Give someone a compliment ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Forest Bathing or Shinrin-Yoku

You don’t have to be a serious hiker or cross-country athlete to get the benefit of the outdoors.   Many benefits can be found of just being exposed in nature.   Forest bathing may sound odd or unheard of to most, but is a great way of reducing stress.   Much like sun-bathing, you are exposing yourself to the woods (bathing suit optional).   Forest bathing is the Japanese practice called Shinrin-Yoku.   Unlike exercise, you are not trying to burn calories doing this.   Instead, forest bathing helps you reduce your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol levels, and reduce your heart rate all by just taking a stroll in the woods.   For instance, in a three-hour session, you may only walk about a half of a mile or less.   Forest bathing allows you to achieve mindfulness in nature.   Some call this Nature Therapy.    Whenever our attention is focused on our senses, we are being mindful.   We are feeling the grass under our fe...
Post a Comment
Read more