Money brings happiness. Increased income directly correlates to an increase in happiness.
But is money alone the cause for your happiness?
Can happiness be bought?
Take an introspective look at how you can bring more happiness into your life with a couple of fundamental ideas.
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There are many studies on the link between money and happiness and, with most things, there are differing opinions.
Statistics show that household income plays a direct role in a person’s emotional happiness and quality of life.
Can Happiness Be Bought?
Those statistics aren’t wrong – money can make a tremendous difference in your quality of life by lessening relationship arguments about budgets and lessening the stress about buying food.
Increased income leads to the ability to afford experiences which directly relate to increased happiness.
You’ll be less stressed and anxious about the future if you have money saved and your savings may give you the ability to create experiences with friends and family.
Income will increase your level of happiness only when other areas of your life are in order.
Often, increased income requires you to travel in affluent circles.
Surrounding yourself with those affluent people create the perception that you “need” more.
You “need” a new car, a bigger house, and MORE in every aspect of your life.
Falling short reduces the satisfaction of your own accomplishments.
Unhappiness then overcomes.
Your perceived need to increase your income then requires you to work more, leaving less time to enjoy the money you do make!
Then, you experience less. See how quickly life turns?
It is an illusion to think that a job or promotion that brings in more income will be used to have fun and relax.
Your brand new home or fancy new car can bring only fleeting times of happiness.
The “need” for the next new possession creates the requirement to work more and to spend more.
You are now stuck in a vicious cycle of more income, more spending, and less happiness.
How To Bring Happiness
Most people today understand that more money, a luxurious home, brand new car, and worldwide travels won’t bring them the ultimate happiness they desire.
So, why do people work so hard to achieve and buy more things?
Without a doubt, having income means you have the ability to purchase more experiences and surround yourself with “things” which outwardly show the world that you have arrived at some undescribed place in the higher societal level.
But, without good health of yourself and those you love, those “things” will never bring true happiness.
You MUST balance your own self-esteem, body image, and relationships before you can buy happiness with increased income.
Take time today to learn what really makes you happy.
Money may not have as much of a part of it as you think.
Happiness is a choice that we make as a response to our circumstances. Once our basic needs are met, happiness depends on how we respond to the path we’re on. I believe a necessary precursor is to be on a path to somewhere, making forward progress, however incremental it may be. The hardest block to happiness is feeling stalled, but we can choose how we respond, even in those stalled times.
I think that’s why the smallest step in finding or being happy is a choice that you can make everyday. Even with the little things that may bother you, it’s up to you on how you feel about it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Others believing in us is nice but worthless if not matched by your own thought. Many define themselves by what they do, where they live, the car they drive etc but when asked what makes them happy they dont have an answer. Happiness definitely comes from within us. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Thank you for reading, Donna.
i agree that money can certainly make our life more comfortable but it is up to us to choose happiness. On my blog I have made MAY my month of happiness and I wrote a post about a fellow I met in Vanuatu who was our taxi driver. He had so little compared to us but was happy and content with his life. We certainly think alike and I enjoyed reading your post.
Let’s not forget that money also offers you a sense of security. For me that is a big one. I like to know that I have a financial cushion should an emergency come up.
Feeling grounded and secure, makes me happy.