The stronger I chased money, the weaker my chance was to catch it, but now I feel wealthier and more joyful without chasing it.

This story does not include health or professional advice. It is for information, inspiration, and awareness purposes.

Photo byJakob OwensonUnsplash

While money is a valuable tool for enhancing aspects of life, I don’t see it as the sole focus of my temporary existence. Finding true joy was impossible until I broke the hedonic treadmill intentionally, wisely, methodically, and diligently. However, I found five viable solutions that I want to share with you.

The hedonic treadmill signifies our inclination to revert to a relatively steady level of happiness, regardless of our income. Simply put, no matter how much money we earn, we eventually adapt to it, and our happiness levels stabilize. Furthermore, I have noticed that when we are unhappy, the process of earning money can become more challenging.

As documented in this paper, “According to the hedonic treadmill model, good and bad events temporarily affect happiness, but people quickly adapt back to hedonic neutrality. The theory, which has gained widespread acceptance in recent years, implies that individual and societal efforts to increase happiness are doomed to failure.”

As we earn more money, our expectations for what constitutes a good life also increase. This means that we need to earn more and more money to maintain the same level of happiness. Understanding this human nature and psychological situation is vital for happiness.

The constant pursuit of money without enjoying my life and work was demanding and stressful. Accumulated stress and associated anxiety adversely affected my health and emotional well-being, decreasing my happiness and not making me wealthier and happier.

Focusing solely on money led me to neglect crucial aspects of my life, such as relationships, belongingness, health, personal growth, and self-actualization. This neglect adversely impacted my happiness and mental health, particularly during my younger years.

So, you may wonder what I did to break the hedonic treadmill and find true joy without chasing money.

To liberate myself from the clutches of the hedonic treadmill and rediscover genuine happiness, I adopted some strategies I explain without going into scientific or technical details.

I used to believe earning lots of money was the key to happiness. I thought I would finally be happy if I could earn substantial money above standards.

However, looking at human history, I learned that the ambitious pursuit of money and missing my other needs, like in Maslow’s hierarchy, delayed my earning potential and caused unhappiness.

I firmly believe that when we live with joy and work in a flow state intentionally, earning money can be much easier. Therefore, I seek joy and satisfaction from internal sources before trying to be rich with our external sources. This wise approach made me happier, healthier, and wealthier.

To give you an idea, I will summarize the practical ways to escape the hedonic treadmill and find true joy without chasing money.

1 — I am grateful for what I have, no matter how small they are.

Gratitude is a pleasant emotion that profoundly impacts my well-being and joy. When I am grateful, I focus on the good things in my life, no matter how big or small they are. Counting my blessings gives me constant joy.

This shift in perspective helps me appreciate the present moment, reduce stress, and build stronger relationships. Living in the moment with gratitude helps me boost my self-love, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

My studies taught me that gratitude can lead to increased happiness and well-being. Feeling grateful helps me reduce my stress and anxiety, allowing me to focus on the positive aspects of our lives.

Gratitude can help me build stronger relationships as it increases appreciation and connection with myself and others. Moreover, living with gratitude rewired my mind to become more resilient. Grateful behavior helps me bounce back from setbacks by helping me see them as temporary challenges rather than permanent failures.

I wanted to share a few things that have positively impacted my life, and I thought you might find them helpful, too. It sounds cliché, but taking a few minutes each day to appreciate the little things around me has been a game-changer. Whether it is soaking in the beauty of nature, savoring my favorite meal, or just losing myself in some good music, these small moments add up.

I have started keeping a gratitude journal, and it is surprising how this simple practice can shift my perspective. Taking a moment each day to jot down a few things I’m grateful for helps me stay focused on the positive aspects of my life.

Sending thank-you notes to the people I care about has become a meaningful habit. Letting them know how much I appreciate them, even for the little things, strengthens my connections.

In the hustle of daily life, it is easy to overlook spending quality time with loved ones. Making a conscious effort to prioritize these connections has brought so much joy and fulfillment.

Showing kindness to others has been a fulfilling way to express my gratitude. Whether it is a small gesture or a more significant act, the ripple effect of kindness is powerful.

2 —I live in the present moment mindfully.

Living in the present moment is the most powerful way to increase my happiness. This means being fully aware of my thoughts, feelings, moods, and behaviors without judgment and without getting caught up in the past or the future.

Living in the present moment allows me to experience pleasant emotions like joy, gratitude, serenity, and contentment. They are default emotions for humans. Mindful living helps me experience less unpleasant emotions, like stress, anxiety, fear, boredom, anger, or jealousy.

One simple way to live mindfully is to focus on my breath. When I notice my mind wandering, I gently bring my attention back to my breath. This will activate the vagus nerve, calm down the amygdala, smoothen the limbic system, and prevent overactivation of the HPA axis.

Another helpful technique is meditation, which involves sitting quietly and focusing on my thoughts and feelings without judgment. By meditating three times a day, I learned to live in the moment, lowering my stress and anxiety.

Living in the present moment benefits my mental and emotional well-being. It reduces stress, anxiety, and depressive thoughts. Mindful living improved my health, cognitive function, relationships, and well-being.

Living in the present moment is a skill that requires practice. The more I practice, the easier it becomes. And the more I practice, the happier I become.

In my day-to-day life, I have found some simple things that help me stay in the present. I take a few minutes each day to really notice what’s around me — what I see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.

When it comes to my thoughts and feelings, I have learned to pay attention without trying to change them. I accept them and just let them be, observing without judgment. I watch my mind do its thing without getting caught up in it.

In my relationships, I make a conscious effort to be fully there when I am with someone. No wandering thoughts about the past or future — just being present in that moment. Lastly, doing things I enjoy keeps me grounded in the present.

3 — I focus on experiences, not possessions.

I have realized that focusing on experiences brings me more joy than chasing possessions. When I go through experiences, my brain releases biochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin that make me feel happy and connected. These feelings stick around longer than the temporary satisfaction I get from owning things.

Memories created through experiences are special to me because they stay with me, bringing joy even years later. On the other hand, the happiness from owning material things tends to fade as I get used to them.

Focusing on experiences over possessions has a profound impact on my well-being. It shifts my focus from accumulating stuff to building relationships and growing personally. This change reduces stress related to wealth and belongings, giving me the mental space to focus on what truly matters.

Here are some simple tips for prioritizing experiences that worked for me:

Traveling gives me new and exciting experiences. Spending quality time with loved ones creates beautiful memories. Learning new things challenges my mind and helps me grow. Helping others through volunteering is a rewarding experience. Stepping outside my comfort zone helps me accumulate memorable experiences, making life richer and more fulfilling.

4 — I dedicate time to my friends and loved ones.

Engaging with loved ones is crucial for my well-being as a social being. My brain, particularly the limbic system, thrives on meaningful relationships.

Spending time with family and friends triggers the release of oxytocin and endorphins, promoting bonding, love, and happiness.

Increased oxytocin strengthens my emotional connection and builds trust, empathy, and attachment. Positive interactions with loved ones bring me joy, contentment, and a sense of belonging, contributing significantly to my overall happiness and mental health.

Strong relationships act as my support system in challenging times, reducing stress and enhancing my resilience. The emotional connection shared with loved ones becomes a buffer against hardships, making it easier for me to overcome difficulties.

Investing in these relationships leads to a more fulfilling and happier life. It encourages me to be present and engaged during interactions, enabling a deeper connection and intimacy. Open communication and emotional expression become integral, further strengthening the trust in the relationship.

I learned that meaningful social connections positively impact physical health, leading to lower rates of depression and anxiety. Building a robust social support network contributes to my better healthspan and lifespan.

I enjoy setting aside dedicated time for loved ones regularly, even if it is just a brief daily interaction. Scheduling these moments ensures that connections are consistently nurtured.

During these interactions, I emphasize being fully present and engaged. This means disconnecting from distractions, like turning off my phone and directing my attention entirely to the people I am with.

Actively listening and asking thoughtful questions are key components of meaningful conversations. By expressing genuine interest, I create an environment where loved ones feel valued and heard.

I believe in transparently sharing my thoughts and feelings. Open communication strengthens bonds, promoting an atmosphere where everyone can express themselves authentically.

Finding activities that bring joy to both me and my loved ones is crucial. Whether it is a shared hobby, outing, or any other enjoyable endeavor, these shared experiences contribute to the richness of our connections.

5 — I enjoy acts of kindness and giving back to communities.

Giving back holds a special place in my heart because it brings joy and a sense of fulfillment. Helping others triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This positive reinforcement encourages me to continue engaging in acts of kindness.

Contributing to the well-being of others provides a profound sense of purpose and meaning to my life. It extends beyond personal concerns, allowing me to positively impact the world. This broader perspective helps me alleviate stress and anxiety as it shifts the focus from personal worries.

Helping others serves as a powerful catalyst for building connections and strengthening relationships. It facilitates a sense of community and shared goodwill. These meaningful connections contribute to a positive mood and an overall sense of happiness.

The act of helping others serves as a reminder of the positive aspects of life. It prompts gratitude by highlighting the good things we often overlook. This increased sense of gratitude contributes to a more positive outlook on life. Giving back to others has been an enriching journey for me.

Here are some practical tips based on my experiences: To ensure a meaningful and sustainable commitment to giving back, I invite you to find a cause that resonates with your passions. This personal connection enhances the likelihood of maintaining your efforts and deriving genuine satisfaction from contributing.

Every act of kindness, regardless of its scale, holds the potential to make a significant difference in someone’s life. Embracing this perspective allows us to contribute in ways that align with our capacity, making the impact more profound than the size of the gesture.

When extending a helping hand, authenticity is key. We can approach acts of kindness with a genuine desire to make a positive impact, free from expectations of reciprocity. Giving unconditionally encourages a deeper connection and ensures that our intentions come from the heart.

We can acknowledge and express gratitude when someone lends us a helping hand. Demonstrating appreciation validates their efforts and reinforces a culture of kindness and reciprocity within our communities.

Conclusions and Takeaways

In summary, constantly pursuing wealth traps us in the hedonic treadmill, where increasing material possessions fails to provide lasting happiness.

Breaking free from this cycle involves prioritizing experiences over possessions, nurturing meaningful relationships, practicing kindness, and living in the present moment.

Gratitude emerges as a powerful emotion that enhances happiness, while a balanced focus on financial security, relationships, personal growth, and health leads to a more holistic and sustainable path.

Redefining success beyond material wealth and emphasizing the value of joy and meaningful experiences can result in a happier, healthier, and wealthier life.

Dealing with money is a unique journey for each of us. There is no universal formula for managing money or becoming happy. We all have different situations and values. Yet, if we grasp the idea of the hedonic treadmill and how it affects our joy, we can make wiser decisions about our relationship with money.

From my experience, real and lasting joy stems from being present in the moment, savoring new experiences, practicing gratitude, nurturing relationships, and helping others.

When I adopted a balanced and purposeful approach to life, I moved away from the constant chase for material possessions and uncovered the authentic happiness that existed within me.

Pursuing happiness involved an ongoing journey of self-discovery and aligning with my values. By pursuing a well-rounded and purposeful life, I discovered enduring happiness with an open heart, mind, and spirit.

The core of financial freedom resides within me— it is a state of mind, not an external circumstance. I can nurture this sense of liberation within myself, surpassing the limitations of external factors, and feel wealthy.

I have observed that earning money becomes more challenging when we are unhappy. But, joyful life and collaboration with others brought me into a constant flow state and enhanced my chances of earning more money. I feel richer and more joyful without chasing money.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

If you found this story helpful, you may also check out my other articles on NewsBreak. I write important life lessons based on my decades of research and experience in cognitive, metabolic, and mental health as a postdoctoral researcher and executive consultant.