Happiness for Sale

I'm sure that I'm not the only one feeling low at the moment due to the crypto bloodbath. But I promise this is me just feeling temporarily unhappy. This too shall pass. When cryptos were high, I was feeling a whole lot better. I was able to move to a new apartment and buy some stuff that I need. It's like when you realize that you don't really have a lot of money, you remember what you lack all of a sudden. Like the lack of romance in your life. You need someone to tell that you don't have a lot of money. Otherwise, you just need to afford a bottle of wine to drown your sorrow and celebrate anti-valentines day.

But can money really buy you happiness? It really depends. People feel happiness in different ways. In poorer countries or those people who have lower income, their happiness usually depends on relationships and community. This also explains why poor people are more helpful and empathetic. They form stronger bonds with others to help them cope with less favorable circumstances. While those in the individualist societies tend to depend their happiness on accomplishments and achievements. People with higher income feel positive emotions focused on themselves. Rich people experience more amusement, contentment, and pride. While the poor people experience more love and compassion.

Without relationships, the least you can have to thrive in this society is money, right? For you to be able to enjoy life and move with ease. So you don't have to worry about food or other basic things in life anymore. Without money, you will surely feel sad and desperate. Your mental and physical health will be affected too.

For those who make more money, their happiness usually comes from their own accomplishments. This is why they are more self-reliant and that they don't have to depend on other people.

Which makes sense why I don't feel really motivated at the moment. My happiness is not dependent on relationships and other people. I feel happier when I can achieve my goals. I feel happier when I'm able to buy what I need. I feel happier when I'm able to accomplish tasks. I feel happier when I'm close to getting things done.

Without money and relationships, how can one still feel happy? Happiness comes from within, but only after you have eaten and secured a roof over your head.

Having money means you are able to experience certain kinds of happiness, but it might also mean that you are less likely to experience other kinds.

When you make other people wealthier, you remove their level of compassion and focus on other people. I'm not saying that they become greedy and selfish, it is just that they become more self-sufficient and independent. Having a lot of money tend to shift your social focus away from the people around you. So don't wonder if 'some' of the richest people don't feel guilt or empathy anymore.