I grew up in a small town where the biggest excitement was the annual summer fair.
As a teenager, I spent hours daydreaming about skyscrapers, fast cars, and a high-powered job that would earn me enough to buy anything my heart desired. I imagined living in a grand penthouse apartment, having a closet full of designer clothes, and being invited to glamorous parties where everyone would know my name.
I worked diligently towards my goal. My hard work paid off and I found myself living the dream in the “Big Apple”.
New York City was my oyster, and I was determined to savor every bit of it. I was making more money than I ever thought possible, living in a great apartment and rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.
However, as time went on, I started feeling a sense of emptiness in spite of all the material possessions. My plush apartment felt more like an expensive cage than a home. My wealth procured acquaintances but not genuine friendships. This wasn’t the life I had dreamed of.
Then, life threw me an unexpected curveball. A family crisis forced me to return to my hometown for an indefinite period. Reconnecting with my old life made me question the one I had built for myself.
The simplicity and warmth of my hometown served as a stark contrast to the cold glitz and glamour of my city life. The joy of spending time with loved ones, the peace found in nature, the fulfillment derived from helping others — these were things money couldn’t buy.
Upon returning to New York, I found myself grappling with the reality of my existence — questioning what truly brought me happiness and what it meant to lead a fulfilling life.
Here’s how my journey unfolded.
Rediscovering the joys of a simple life
I moved back into my childhood home, a stark contrast to Manhattan. I swapped morning jogs in Central Park for walks along the familiar countryside lanes. Instead of late-night parties, I found myself sitting by a bonfire under a starry sky, reminiscing about old times with my childhood friends.
One day, while helping my father in our family-owned grocery store, I had a profound realization. As I interacted with our regular customers — hearing about their lives, sharing laughs, and helping them find what they needed — I felt a sense of satisfaction that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
I began volunteering at a local animal shelter on weekends. Seeing the wagging tails and bright eyes of the animals as they found their forever homes filled me with joy that no luxury car or designer suit ever could.
I also found immense peace spending time with my mother in her garden, getting my hands dirty, and watching life bloom from tiny seeds. The simple act of nurturing something other than my bank account felt incredibly rewarding.
During this time, I also rekindled an old romance from high school. The love and companionship we shared felt genuine and grounded, something that had been missing from my previous relationships.
Back in New York, my life was measured by bank balances and stock portfolios. But here, I was beginning to measure it by smiles shared, friendships rekindled, love rediscovered, and the simple pleasures of life.
Challenging the equation of wealth and happiness
Growing up, like many others, I was told that success equated to money. The more you had, the happier you would be. This belief is deeply ingrained in our society. It’s fed to us through movies, advertisements, and social media, where wealth is often portrayed as the ultimate measure of a person’s worth.
However, my time back home made me question this entire premise. Yes, money can provide comfort and security, but it doesn’t necessarily bring happiness.
I saw people in my hometown who lived modest lives but were incredibly happy. They found joy in their families, their work, their hobbies, and their community. Their lives were rich in ways that couldn’t be measured by a bank balance.
This contradicted everything I had been led to believe. The pursuit of wealth had left me feeling hollow and unsatisfied. Yet here I was, back in my humble beginnings, experiencing a level of contentment and fulfillment that my high-paying job could never offer.
My experience has shown me that happiness isn’t about how much we own but about the quality of our relationships, finding purpose in what we do, and cherishing the simple pleasures of life.
Embracing a life beyond material possessions
Moving forward, I made a conscious decision to redefine my idea of success. I knew I had to make some significant changes in my life.
Firstly, I downsized. I sold my fancy apartment and moved into a smaller, cozier apartment more suited to my needs than my ego. I parted ways with the luxury car and unnecessary designer clothes, opting for more modest and sustainable choices.
I also decided to take a step back from my high-pressure job. Instead, I started working with a non-profit organization that focused on financial education for underprivileged youth. The work was challenging but far more rewarding.
I made an effort to reconnect with old friends and build new, meaningful relationships. I prioritized spending quality time with loved ones over attending high-profile social events.
Lastly, and most importantly, I took time every day to do something that brought me joy. Be it reading a book, going for a run, or simply sitting in the park and watching the world go by — these simple moments of joy became my daily treasures.
For anyone feeling trapped in the endless pursuit of wealth, remember that true happiness often lies in the simplest things around us. It’s about finding balance and appreciating what we have rather than constantly striving for more.
Take a step back, reassess what truly matters to you, and don’t be afraid to make changes in your life to pursue it.
Empowering yourself through personal responsibility and self-reflection
Taking responsibility for my situation was a significant turning point for me. It allowed me to regain control over my life and make changes that aligned with my true values.
This meant acknowledging my dissatisfaction with the pursuit of wealth and the emptiness it brought. It meant facing the reality of my situation instead of hiding behind a facade of material success.
Understanding the external influences and societal conditioning that had shaped my beliefs was crucial. I realized that much of what I had been pursuing was based on societal expectations, not on my own desires.
Here’s what this journey taught me:
- Take responsibility for your life, regardless of how you got there.
- Acknowledge your dissatisfaction and face your reality without sugar-coating it.
- Understand how societal conditioning has influenced your beliefs and actions.
- Pursue what truly brings you joy and fulfillment, not what society deems successful.
- Question societal myths and expectations that limit your potential.
This process wasn’t about blind positivity or feel-good mysticism. It was about practical self-development — aligning my life with my true nature, questioning societal expectations, and embracing the journey of self-exploration to reshape my reality.
I also dedicated time daily to practice self-improvement techniques — mindfulness, gratitude journaling, and reading thought-provoking books. One such resource that significantly helped me in this journey is a book titled “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. It’s a profound read that encourages living in the present moment, a concept that has brought immense peace in my life.
Remember, it’s your life. You get to decide what success looks like for you. Embrace the journey of self-exploration, question societal norms, and live life on your own terms.
What would Marcus Aurelius say?
Unsure what to do next in your career? Struggling to move on from a failed relationship? Searching for more meaning in life?
Marcus Aurelius can tell you how to face your challenges in a more Stoic way.
Simply ask your question, and Marcus Aurelius will answer.
