More money = More Restlessness | Impact of Wealth on Well Being

Is there a kernel of truth in the idea that more money brings more restlessness? Sometimes, it feels like the intense heat we endure—akin to the burn of the sun on a sweltering beach—eventually melts away, replaced by the invigorating joy and contentment that the ocean’s embrace provides. This scorching sensation might be a necessary trial on the path to achieving all that we are pursuing, similarly, the effort to get to a financial level, reaching where you feel content with the work put in, might just be needed.

Then why? Why do some seem blissfully happy, whether they’re richer or poorer than you? You might catch yourself wondering, “Why am I not as happy?” The puzzle pieces here aren’t just about the size of one’s wallet or the number of mouths to feed. It’s also about one’s attitude toward money, among a myriad of other factors, which make you ponder what is the impact of wealth on well-being.

Well, to me personally, I have felt the importance of money differently in different stages of my life, there is definitely more to go. It started with the constant desire to want something that a friend had, or something cool that I came across and wanted in my possession, which had nothing to do with whether I actually needed it at the moment, but more with just having it. The next stage, off to when money meant requirement, pretty soon you think, not really – the requirement was for commute, the rest remained exactly the same as it was. See, there was some responsibility there when it came to handling money, at least it struck, whenever it did.

Then there was the phase when I started earning, had a decent pay, no responsibility and all to spend for my satisfaction. Best phase of all, probably, in the years to come and the ones that went by. You relate to me there? You will, I’m sure! This will be different for people from various backgrounds, some with well to do families, and some with not so well-to-do ones, the earning phase might on the contrary bring pressure on the these people with need to provide for their respective families.

People with a pretty strong financial background, do not really care much about earning and providing for their families, for a decent amount of time in their lives, well they don’t really have to I guess. From the looks of it, the extreme ends of this see-saw don’t seem to be bothered much with the way they live their lives, and maybe because there is a threshold beyond which one can’t cross, so the continuity of their lives do not waver much. But the ones in the middle, suffer the most, at times they have enough money to spend on the wants and needs, and at some point, it seems towering to even provide for requirements.

It's in this section of the population, that there exists a division between people who want to get to the upper side of the see-saw, and one who are content with where they are, and more so, happy. I don’t mean to say the ones aiming to be at a higher position are not happy, but just that it may seem something that is conditional to their pace of growth.

Consider families who prioritize money above all else. They’re not necessarily wrong in their approach, but why do their feelings hinge so much on the freedom to spend as they please? Is it flawed or justified? Contrast this with a family that may not match your financial standing but appears genuinely content and even jubilant. When you look back at your own life, you might notice that you felt happiest when flush with cash. Now, in leaner times, you find yourself irked by minor inconveniences that wouldn’t bother you if your bank account were more robust.

Why this stark shift in emotions? At some point, perhaps you even fantasize about abandoning it all for a quaint cabin in the woods—where the most pressing concern is chopping wood for a cozy fire. People are sent on diverse journeys through life, finding comfort in varying levels of material abundance. We often underestimate our own mental resilience, leading to confusion, self-doubt, and a scarcity of joy.

"Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you want but it won't replace you as the driver"—a profound truth. Focus on the unique purpose life holds for you, and savor every moment of your own journey, money will come and go, what will stay is the character you build over the years which will be the reason that makes you get on it all over again. 

The point of view is extremely personal, but might just bring some light to someone in need, after all, the purpose is to let out the thoughts, and hope it might come of use.