“If love and kindness is ones investment, then joy and happiness with be life’s profit and dividend” – Debasish Mridha
Hi everyone. I’d like to piggyback this post off of my last one.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the financial independence framework. Or more specifically, the idea that getting rich is really what it’s all about. And with that, the feeling that the pursuit of financial freedom is our most important task.
Because once we are financially free, we can finally be happy. Right?!
I had a long conversation with my own father about this yesterday. This is certainly what he seems to believe. Don’t spend, save. Save so that one day, some time, you can finally “thrive” (to use his terminology). This is what it’s all about.
But, when is it time to thrive?
Now I’m not advocating for a free-spending lifestyle. Far from it. I grew up very modestly and I have no desire to blow through my savings.
What I’m saying is that the focus is all wrong. Saving and investing is important, but it won’t make you happier in the end. If happiness is what you’re seeking – be in the in form of more fulfillment, greater well being, or perhaps enjoying your days more – you’re not going to get any further along by just saving money and retiring earlier.
If happiness is what you want. It has to be something you’re actively working on.
How are you investing in your own happiness? Right now, what are you doing that will result in long-term happiness?
We know our happiness can be cultivated and improved. Our life circumstances only contribute a small amount to how happy we feel. Same with our genetics. We have a fair degree of control over how we truly feel. This is something we can continually work on and improve.
So why aren’t we putting the time in to be happier the same way we constantly talk about and focus on our financial accounts?
A new model. Happiness Independence (HI).
Let’s use the terminology of financial independence bloggers (FI) to create a new model of happiness. I’m going to call it happiness independence (of conditions) or HI.
Perhaps you should think about creating your own HI account. Just a fun little thing you do on the side. Consider making little deposits into your HI portfolio each day.
The financial literature often talks about “paying ourselves first”. With the idea being that we take 5-10% of our earnings and put that aside for our future savings.
How about doing the same for our well-being?
Perhaps our focus should be towards putting 5-10% of our time towards activities that are proven to make us happier in the long run.
Even with a few minutes of time investment a day, I can guarantee that the compound happiness you’ll generate over the months and years will make a much more significant impact on your life that you’ll realize.
It might be the best investment you’ll ever make.
What to invest in?
Well, that’s up to you of course. But if you’re serious about cultivating happiness, there’s a lot you can do.
Here are a few suggestions for your HI account.
Gratitude practice
Spend a few minutes a day thinking about all of the things you have to be grateful for. If you’d like, make a little list.
As physicians, the list is endless. You’ve had the fortune to pursue higher education, work a noble profession. You’re well compensated. You never have to worry about your next meal, paying the rent, and are lucky to have the ability to even think about FI.
You are luckier than you know and so many incredible things have happened to get you where you are today.
Cultivate good relationships
You are who spend your time with. And the quality of your relationships have a direct correlation to the quality of your well-being. Spend a little extra time investing in the people around you. Your spouse. Friends. Family. Community. When you remind yourself that not only your time, but the time of those you love isn’t guaranteed, it’ll be easier to put those petty disagreements aside. Try and spend a few minutes a day telling someone how you feel about them.
Spend more time out in nature
We know that nature makes us happier. Spending even a little time in nature has been shown to give us increased feelings of resilience and patience and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. How can you fit the outdoors into your day?
Move
Release some of the tension you’ve been storing up all day. Shake it all out. Close the door and dance to a song you love. Run. Stretch. Even a couple of minutes will make a big difference to your day.
Savour
Spend a couple extra moments indulging in something that you love. Maybe it’s that first sip of coffee in the morning. Or the way the sun feels on your face when you walk out the door. The feeling you get when you glance at a flower or a tree. Can you soak in that sensation for just a little bit longer?
Meditate
The ultimate investment for me. The practice of bringing myself back into the moment, time and time and time again has trained me to be more in the moment in all aspects of my life. I’ve learned about how frequently my own mind takes me out of the present each day and how, with practice, I can spend more and more time in the moment. It’s spilled over into all areas of my life. Over time my thoughts have less control over me. A few minutes of practice a day can increase empathy, resiliency, and happiness.
Working towards financial independence can offer you many future benefits in life. But if your end goal is greater personal happiness, putting in the work with also pay off in significant ways.
Again, happiness is a mental state. It can be cultivated with consistent practice.
It’s time to start investing in your own personal happiness now. Making little deposits into your personal happiness (HI) account will create huge dividends over time. The sooner you get started, the greater the benefits you’ll see.
What are you doing in your life right now to cultivate greater happiness?
What can you be doing better?
Start making small changes.
Invest in yourself.
You and those around you will get a much greater ROI than you’d expect.
