Sitting here on a foggy, misty morning on the mountain in Australia today (video above), and I've been thinking about my passions and what I wanna do, and I just realized it's not all about money. It is about passion. It's about following what really makes you feel good and what you enjoy to do. I used to be driven by money. Well, at least for a while, I thought money was everything. If I could just get the right money, everything would be okay.
But money doesn't buy happiness. And so it's about following your passion, what makes you feel good, and that you can do that on a daily basis, and really enjoy it and make a difference to the world making a difference following your passion.
Once, I took an amazing job, in a seemingly amazing company, working on, from the outside, amazing things, with apparently amazing people. I was earning more than I have ever made in my life. I actually took the job based on the money. Worst decision ever.
The money was just a glamorous sugar-coating over what ended up a painful experience, and a big lesson for me. Why? Because I made a conscious decision to trade happiness for money. I had left a really ‘happy’ job for this unknown one, enticed by money
I tell my clients who I coach, that the most important thing is to pursue your passion, and to align what you DO with your CORE values. Otherwise, you will just have a sucky experience in any job, no matter the pay. And I didn’t heed my own advice.
To be fair, the people were great. They too were there for the money. We all got sucked in. But the toxic environment, distressing frictions and pressure to achieve made this little momma absolutely miserable. I was paid high bucks to fix bad problems that I knew, in the end, I couldn’t fix, even my broken joy.
Money Can't Buy Happiness: 5 Reasons Why
The saying "money can't buy happiness" has been around for centuries, and there is a growing body of evidence to support it. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between income and happiness, but only up to a certain point. Once people have enough money to meet their basic needs and some of their wants, more money does not lead to any significant increase in happiness.
But why, Gilli, doesn’t money buy you happiness? Glad you asked. Here are my top 5:
Money can't buy relationships. One of the most important sources of happiness is strong relationships with family and friends. Money can't buy these relationships, and in fact, it can sometimes damage them. For example, people who are constantly chasing money may neglect their relationships in order to work more. Tell me about it…. not only was I working 6.30am to sometimes 9.30pm to chase crazy timezones, I was also traveling a lot. That hurts family-time! I went to work to feed the family I didn’t see.
Money can't buy experiences. Experiences, such as traveling, spending time with loved ones, and learning new things, are more likely to lead to long-lasting happiness than material possessions. Money can buy experiences, but it can't buy the memories and emotions that come with them. I know it was fun to have more ‘play-money’, but funny thing is, when you start making more, you end up spending more… so you’re not really saving.
Money can't buy health. A healthy body and mind are essential for happiness. Money can help people pay for medical care, but it can't prevent illness or injury. In fact, some studies have shown that people who are wealthy are actually more likely to experience stress and anxiety, which can have a negative impact on their health. I was the worst health-wise in this job. I didn’t eat right, I drank too much to try and relax after the job, and it won’t bring my mother back, who passed away while I was too busy working… not noticing she really needed me. Sheesh that’s a therapy session right there.
Money can't buy security. Money can provide a certain degree of security, but it can't guarantee it. People who have lost their jobs or experienced financial hardship know that money can disappear quickly. Let me tell you…. just because you win a great job doesn’t mean you can’t lose it just as fast….
Money can't buy happiness. Happiness is a complex emotion that is influenced by many factors, including genetics, personality, and life experiences. Money can't change these factors, and it can't guarantee happiness. It just can’t. Joy is something I’m continuing to learn is cultivated from within. I’ve learned the harsh lesson and from now on I’m not chasing career choices based on money, but whether it aligns with my values, and whether I can bring value to it.
Of course, money can make life easier and more comfortable. It can help people pay for their basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. It can also help people afford luxuries, such as travel, entertainment, and education. However, money is not the key to happiness. There are many other things that are more important, such as strong relationships, meaningful experiences, and good health.
Being in the million dollar club doesn’t necessarily provide happiness. Let’s take a look:
Robin Williams. The actor and comedian was known for his wit and humor, but he suffered from depression and anxiety. He took his own life in 2014.
Marilyn Monroe. The actress was one of the most famous and beautiful women in the world, but she struggled with self-esteem and addiction. She died by suicide in 1962.
Elon Musk. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX is one of the richest people in the world, but he has also spoken openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety. He has said that he has felt suicidal at times, and that he has had to take medication to manage his mental health.
If you're looking for true happiness, don't focus on making more money. Instead, focus on building strong relationships, having meaningful experiences, and taking care of your health. These are the things that will truly make you happy.
Drop the mic. 🎤
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P.S My happiness right here: my 10 year old twins starting 5th grade. I plan to be at every soccer game!