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.
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.
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