Guess What? Money And “Stuff” Doesn’t Make You Happy

 In yesterday’s blog post we talked about the importance of living with a purpose for your spiritual health and how it all comes back to living a happy and fulfilled life. Today I want to talk about what doesn’t make you happy. We’ve talked a lot so far about why it’s important to live with purpose, and a big part of it is because it makes you feel happier and more content. Happiness, after all, is an inside job.

What doesn’t make you happy is money and more material possessions. In fact, quite the opposite seems to be true. Yes, of course there’s a time when a little extra cash and a more reliable car increase you happiness and decrease your stress and worries. There’s a threshold below which money and material possessions do make us happier. But once we reach a level where we live somewhat comfortably and don’t have to worry about having food in the fridge and a roof over our head, something interesting happens. From there on out, more money and more possessions simply gives us more “stuff” to worry about. In those cases an increase in material and monetary possessions doesn’t increase happiness. The goal then shouldn’t be to do everything we can to keep up with the Joneses. Instead, what makes us happy is living a purpose driven and meaningful life.

Deep down you already know this. Meaningful experiences trump material gifts anytime. We remember the fun trips we took as kids or the time we got to see a concert much more vividly than a pile of presents under the tree. Yes, there are exceptions like the year you got the new bike, but that’s when there was purpose and meaning attached to the material gift.

The goal then, when we want to increase our overall happiness and wellbeing shouldn’t be to accumulate as much money and stuff as possible...it should be to focus on having the basic needs covered so we don’t have to worry too much, and then shift our focus to experiences and relationships. That’s the true key to leading a happy and fulfilled life.

It also means focusing on finding purpose in what we do. In addition to finding purpose and meaning in financial goals, start making ones for relationships, experiences, and the likes. Instead of focusing on that next big promotion or bonus check, or how you’ll afford a new car, spend your time and energy on the things and people that are important for you.

Here's an idea to create a visual for you. Let's say the average life expectancy is 80 years old. Now, subtract your age from 80 and multiply by 52 (representing the number of Saturdays in a year). Now, go buy some marbles or beads to represent the number of weeks you have left and put them into a glass jar. Every Saturday, take one out of the jar. As the weeks go by, you'll begin to see the marbles/beads begin to go down.

For example, let's say you are 50 years old. 80 - 50 = 30 and 30 x 52 = 1560. So, fill your jar with 1560 marbles or beads. Every Saturday, take one away. This is a strong visual reminder to live an Intentional Life and make the most of all the weeks, months, years you have...a reminder to live with purpose.

I hope you'll start living with purpose and start making a difference in your life. That’s a way to increase your happiness and well-being,  along with being and doing meaningful things with those around you.

I mentioned a few weeks back about my decluttering plan for Lent this year. My plan was to find one item every day from March 6 - April 17 that I could either donate or throwaway; however, I've actually found more than one item each day. As I lighten up my Physical space, I feel uplifted and energized. This experience is a great Stepping Stone on my Pilgrimage to Self.

Take some time today to create your visual Life Jar. Below are some affiliate links that might get you thinking about your Life Jar.  

Have fun!

Cheers!

Lisa

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