Happiness has a lot to do with money… and vice versa
Many of us will have seen the meme that says something like ‘Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy cats, and that’s pretty close’.
Obviously, no argument from me on the issue of cats.
But I do take issue with the notion that money can’t buy happiness. Perhaps it can’t - literally. But many people who are living happier lives have more money.
Money makes us calmer. It gives us room to have choices. It allows us to be generous with ourselves and with others. It lets us deal with emergencies without falling apart.
All of these things do contribute to happiness. Less stress, more freedom, increased choices. Check check check.
What about the people who have money but are still not happy?
I put these people in two categories. The first is those who have everything they could want, but are lonely. They have no one to share time or experiences with, and so it feels like a waste.
The second is those who have money, but have lived with scarcity for so long that they cannot enjoy the feeling of having wealth or a comfortable income.
A scarcity mindset is easy to create and hard to break. It comes from not having enough for so long, that even when you are in a comfortable place you can’t live like you are. The feeling of ‘not having’ follows you everywhere.
Money can create happiness.
Not only by relieving stress, and being able to handle emergencies, but also by creating a feeling of generosity. It feels good to be able to help someone else, or donate to a cause that matters to you.
It’s nice to feel you can take a friend out for lunch without worrying over how to split the bill.
When water comes through your kitchen ceiling, it’s comforting to know there’s money in the account to deal with it - it doesn’t have to ruin you.
Feelings of scarcity can ruin the happiness.
After living on a university budget for nearly a decade, I majorly struggle with making purchases of any kind. Everything beyond basic groceries and the electricity bill seems like an extravagance.
This makes it very hard to find joy in any kind of spending. In fact, it can make the spending seem like a chore, or even give you that ‘ick’ feeling like something is morally questionable.
It is not wrong to spend the money you earned on things that make your life easier.
If you’re not quite there with me on this point yet, not to worry - you’re in good company. I continue to struggle with this.
A scarcity mindset can also be hugely counterproductive. You work to earn money, and then you can’t even find any joy when you go to spend it. This is not at all useful.
You don’t need to feel badly about it.
In case you still aren’t convinced, take a look at the effects of being happy on your life.
Happiness makes us more generous. It makes us want to be better for our families and friends and communities.
Happiness is motivating: we are more inclined to do the difficult or annoying jobs if we are more cheerful.
It makes us less resentful, and more able to deal with adversity. Wiping up the cat vomit for the fifth time this week is less annoying when you’re feeling so joy being with the cat.
We can probably all imagine what it feels like to be asked to do a chore or take on another task at work when you’re in a bad mood (maybe you don’t have to imagine - maybe you’re living it right now!).
Now imagine that you’ve been having a great day, things have been ticking along, and you’re in good cheer when your boss asks you to finish that spreadsheet. It’s way less agitating when you’re already in a good space.
If you’re struggling with finding happiness in your money, or with using money to be happier, I’d love for you to book an insight call with me so we can dive into those beliefs.
If you are earning money, but not finding any joy in it, I want to help you change that.
This morning, I went to get my nails done. I chose the cheapest option available - I’m still struggling with that scarcity mindset! - but the joy from that experience was significant. I didn’t have to do it myself; the money I earned felt like it had value in my life. And every time I look at my nails, I feel better because they’re not a disaster.
It’s the small things that make up a joyful life.
If you’re not ready for an insight call this week, check out the Lazy Person’s Guide to Finding Joy and send this email on to a friend who could use a joyful boost.
Chat soon,
Rachel