If you want a fulfilling life, look to what money can’t buy—meaningful relationships, self-confidence, and genuine appreciation. But how do we gain these things?
One of the most important steps is simply being present. Don’t let your thoughts—or your phone—pull you away from the moment, because the present is the only thing that’s real. Pay attention when someone speaks. Listen actively. Ask questions. Be curious, and keep an open mind to learn from them. These choices cost nothing, yet they bring lasting joy. Strangely, few people seem to want them. Why?
Being present isn’t easy today. Our phones demand attention with endless pings. Truly listening takes work, patience, and effort. Conversations require time, and not every one of them feels meaningful. Meanwhile, a short reel gives us an instant dopamine hit. So does buying that new bag or shirt—the quick rush of excitement is always within reach.
But face-to-face conversations create long-term effects, even if their value is hard to measure. What brings you joy with one person might not bring the same to another, and that’s okay. Relationships are about give and take—and about knowing yourself. Stay curious. Enjoy the moment. See people not as burdens, but as sources of wisdom, perspective, and growth.
We keep chasing that rush, believing more things will finally satisfy us—but they never do. Some spend a lifetime accumulating possessions, yet never feel content. As the philosopher Epictetus reminded us, “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
Think of someone at the end of their life—or someone you’ve lost. What do you remember about them? Likely not their possessions, but how they made you feel. Their personality. The moments you shared. And yet, despite knowing this, we still choose things over people. We convince ourselves that stuff will make us happier than relationships.
Life is measured by shared experiences. That is true wealth. Owning things is fine—but never at the cost of neglecting relationships.
Take care.