If you’re expecting some breakthrough financial hack that’ll magically add a few zeroes to your bank account, buckle up because I’m about to let you down—or, actually, lift you up in a different way.
For years, I believed the key to wealth was obviously just making more money. Hustle harder. Work longer hours. Get the promotion. Invest smarter. The usual grind culture gospel. And for a while, it seemed to work. My bank account grew. I upgraded from instant ramen to sushi dinners and finally bought the “adult couch” that didn’t require assembly in my living room. You know, big wins.
But here’s the thing no one tells you: just having more money doesn’t make you wealthy—not in the way that actually matters.
When I Realized My “Wealth” Wasn’t Real
There was this moment a couple of years ago where everything sort of unraveled for me. I was sitting in front of my laptop at 11 PM, scrolling through a spreadsheet that tracked every single penny I spent. I thought I had it all figured out: my budget was tight, my savings were growing, and my investments were “performing well” (whatever that means).
But I felt drained. Not just tired—like soul-level burnout. My relationships were hanging on by a thread because I was too busy chasing my next financial goal. My health? LOL. Let’s just say my Fitbit thought I had disappeared.
I had more money than I’d ever had before, but I was running on empty. I wasn’t thriving. I was surviving, and it hit me hard: this isn’t wealth. Not even close.
What Wealth Actually Looks Like
It took me a while to figure out what real wealth means. Spoiler alert: it’s not how many digits you have in your savings account. Real wealth is a combination of three things: mindset, relationships, and habits.
Let me break it down:
- Mindset: You know that phrase “money is a tool”? Yeah, it’s not just something financial gurus say on podcasts to sound deep. Your mindset around money will either empower you or destroy you. I used to treat money like a scoreboard. The more I had, the more successful I thought I was. But that mindset only made me obsessed with earning, not living. The real mindset shift? Seeing money as a means to build freedom, not control my life.
- Relationships: This one hit me harder than I expected. You can have a billion dollars, but if you don’t have solid relationships, you’re broke in the most important way. I’m not just talking about family and friends either—mentors, supportive communities, and even the people you work with can change your entire perspective on what “wealth” feels like.
- Habits: Money habits are important, sure. But your life habits? Even more so. I started prioritizing habits that made me feel wealthy regardless of my bank balance—getting enough sleep, scheduling time for people I love, reading books that expand my thinking, and (yes) learning how to say no to things that drained me.
How Everything Changed
Once I shifted my focus from obsessing over money to investing in these three things—mindset, relationships, and habits—my entire life flipped. My days felt lighter. I stopped chasing arbitrary financial goals that didn’t actually make me happy.
And ironically, when I stopped stressing about money, it started to flow in easier. Why? Because I had the clarity to make better decisions. I wasn’t acting from a place of fear or scarcity. I learned to work smarter, not harder.
I built stronger connections with people who inspired me to grow. I replaced toxic routines with habits that fueled me. I started thinking long-term and stopped worrying about every dip in the stock market like it was the end of the world.
The Real Secret? It’s Already Within Your Reach
Look, I’m not saying money doesn’t matter. It absolutely does. Being financially stable is important, and if you’re struggling to make ends meet, the last thing you need is someone telling you to “focus on your mindset” like it’s a magic solution.
But once you get to a place where your basic needs are covered, the key to feeling truly wealthy has less to do with your income and more to do with how you live.
- Do you have time to spend with people you love?
- Are you investing in your health and happiness?
- Are your habits building the life you want—or just dragging you through the same cycle?
If the answer is no, it’s time to rethink your definition of wealth.
Final Thoughts
I’m still figuring it all out. Some days I catch myself slipping back into that old “just grind harder” mindset. But then I remind myself: wealth isn’t about how much you have. It’s about how you live.
And once you get that right, the rest tends to fall into place.
Want to know more about building habits that create real wealth? Stick around—I’ve got plenty more stories to share.
