Does Money Buy Happiness?
Yes! No… Maybe?
Yes.
Well, not really.
It depends.
The more important and equally difficult question is,
what makes you happy?
Not the fake happiness you see on Instagram, you know, the 5 highlight real photos of a trip to an exotic island taken from the 100s of other images with less bougie vibe.
What is the thing that truly makes you happy?
Happiness is a state of well-being and contentment that is characterized by positive emotions such as joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment.
True happiness goes beyond feeling good, it’s a sense of inner peace and meaning in one’s life. There is no dependence on external circumstances, but rather, it comes from within and is a result of living a meaningful and fulfilling life.
This sort of happiness is linked to having a positive mindset, being grateful, and having a sense of inner peace. It also involves the capacity to manage and cope with negative emotions and stress in a healthy way.
Ultimately, true happiness is a journey and a personal experience, and it can take different forms for different people. The key is to find what works for you, and to strive for a balance of inner peace, purpose, and positive relationships.
If you’re the type of person that is made truly happy by watching movies on the couch with your significant other or lounging around a campfire with a group of friends, then more money isn’t going to be the sole reason your overall happiness increases.
On the other hand, if you are more materialistic (this isn’t a bad thing) and enjoy buying new clothes, eating at expensive restaurants, attending special events, etc. Then there’s a good chance that your intrinsic happiness is tied more closely to the amount of disposable income you have available.
Basically, people have different ideas of what happiness is, which determines whether you can buy it.
So how do you find what makes you happy?
Finding what makes you happy can be a journey of self-discovery.
Here are some ideas on how to come a little closer to discovering your personal source of happiness:
- Reflect on past experiences: Think about times in your life when you felt truly fulfilled. What were you doing? Who were you with? What was going on around you?
- Experiment with new activities: Try new things and see what you enjoy. This could be anything from taking a cooking class to going on a hike.
- Spend time with loved ones: People are often a source of happiness, so make sure you spend time with those you care about.
- Prioritize self-care: Taking care of yourself physically and mentally is important for overall well-being and happiness.
- Practice gratitude: Take time to reflect on the things in your life that you are grateful for, if you practice this often enough you’ll start to notice patterns. If you are constantly feeling grateful for a certain hobby, person, or place that may help guide you toward your happiness.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that what makes you happy may change over time. Be open to new experiences and be willing to re-evaluate what brings you happiness over time.
