And then, I could disappear up my own behind for total solitude.
Are you happy?
- Thread starter Richard Feynman
- Start date
I have recently come across a website whose focus is essentially on improving oneself, and as a result, levels of happiness and moment-to-moment wellbeing: www.raptitude.com
Interestingly, mindfulness/meditation have played a heavy part in his journey, and are written about in varying degrees in many of the posts.
Worth investigating if you have the time and will.
Interestingly, mindfulness/meditation have played a heavy part in his journey, and are written about in varying degrees in many of the posts.
Worth investigating if you have the time and will.
Yup, I'm happy. My net worth isn't much. I've been richer and I've been poorer. The only times money makes any difference to my happiness is if we don't have enough to cover all our bills and I get stressed. Luckily we've had assets we could sell to help us through a few tough times.
As far as wealth increasing my happiness, it doesn't really. There's a certain satisfaction I get from knowing I've achieved something, or that a particular project has been successful, and increased wealth is like proof of that achievement/success, so in a way it makes me happy. But it's not the kind of 'happy in the moment' happiness that you're talking about.
So anyway, here are my answers:
1) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your income/net worth has?
Nope
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
Nope
3) What's had the biggest positive, longterm impact on your happiness?
I was safe and loved as a kid? I don't know. I've generally always been happy.
4) What's had the biggest negative, longterm impact on your happiness?
Thinking about it too much. Between about 20 and 22 I spent too much time in my own head, wondering who I *really* was and what *really* made me happy. It was a frustrating, circular thinking that only made me doubt myself become overly self-involved.
5) Those who have reached "financial freedom", has your permanent level of happiness increased?
Not there yet but hubby has been there, and lost it, and while he was there (before I met him) he was a lot less happy than he is now.
6) Any words of wisdom, insights, books, experiences, anything you recommend tor SSers to increase their happiness and wellbeing?
Don't take stuff too seriously. Don't think too much. Don't dwell on stuff that annoys you. Appreciate the simple things.
7) How old are you?
33
As far as wealth increasing my happiness, it doesn't really. There's a certain satisfaction I get from knowing I've achieved something, or that a particular project has been successful, and increased wealth is like proof of that achievement/success, so in a way it makes me happy. But it's not the kind of 'happy in the moment' happiness that you're talking about.
So anyway, here are my answers:
1) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your income/net worth has?
Nope
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
Nope
3) What's had the biggest positive, longterm impact on your happiness?
I was safe and loved as a kid? I don't know. I've generally always been happy.
4) What's had the biggest negative, longterm impact on your happiness?
Thinking about it too much. Between about 20 and 22 I spent too much time in my own head, wondering who I *really* was and what *really* made me happy. It was a frustrating, circular thinking that only made me doubt myself become overly self-involved.
5) Those who have reached "financial freedom", has your permanent level of happiness increased?
Not there yet but hubby has been there, and lost it, and while he was there (before I met him) he was a lot less happy than he is now.
6) Any words of wisdom, insights, books, experiences, anything you recommend tor SSers to increase their happiness and wellbeing?
Don't take stuff too seriously. Don't think too much. Don't dwell on stuff that annoys you. Appreciate the simple things.
7) How old are you?
33
My honest answers...
Pretty simply question in the title, but I want to break it down a bit more.
1) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your income/net worth has?
Not directly, but less stress nowadays when no need to worry if we have enough money for bills or having breakfast in cafe, if wish to do so. I hate uncertainty.
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
No
3) What's had the biggest positive, longterm impact on your happiness?
Health getting better after long illness.
4) What's had the biggest negative, longterm impact on your happiness?
Long battle with health issues
5) Those who have reached "financial freedom", has your permanent level of happiness increased?
Not there yet. Or actually we would if selling properties. But we both honestly like what we do for living. So I suppose answer is no.
6) Any words of wisdom, insights, books, experiences, anything you recommend tor SSers to increase their happiness and wellbeing?
Do not take your health as granted
7) How old are you?
More than 25 but below 40
I ask only for considered, honest answers.
This is tongue in cheek, right?
1) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your income/net worth has?
No. I'm generally pretty happy go lucky and up for challenges. I like nice things, but they don't control me. However, having the freedom to take time off, even for a weekend, is great for happiness.
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
No. See above.
3) What's had the biggest positive, longterm impact on your happiness?
Going into doing my own thing (well, half and half with someone else). Being able to have more control over my own career.
4) What's had the biggest negative, longterm impact on your happiness?
Tax bills.
5) Those who have reached "financial freedom", has your permanent level of happiness increased?
Not there yet.
6) Any words of wisdom, insights, books, experiences, anything you recommend tor SSers to increase their happiness and wellbeing?
Things do go wrong. Find a way to make them right instead of wallowing in self pity.
7) How old are you?
28
No. I'm generally pretty happy go lucky and up for challenges. I like nice things, but they don't control me. However, having the freedom to take time off, even for a weekend, is great for happiness.
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
No. See above.
3) What's had the biggest positive, longterm impact on your happiness?
Going into doing my own thing (well, half and half with someone else). Being able to have more control over my own career.
4) What's had the biggest negative, longterm impact on your happiness?
Tax bills.
5) Those who have reached "financial freedom", has your permanent level of happiness increased?
Not there yet.
6) Any words of wisdom, insights, books, experiences, anything you recommend tor SSers to increase their happiness and wellbeing?
Things do go wrong. Find a way to make them right instead of wallowing in self pity.
7) How old are you?
28
I just realised I'd let this one slip.
Thanks all for the answers to date. There's been a lot of insight and wisdom.
Thanks all for the answers to date. There's been a lot of insight and wisdom.
Having recently acquired my first IP, I'm now able to answer this:
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
Not in the slightest.
My recent purchase more than doubled the value of property I'm holding. I settled 3 weeks ago, snagged it below market value and recent sales (in the same complex no less) suggest I'm already up about 7% on purchase price.
Happiness and wellbeing, entirely unchanged.
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
Not in the slightest.
My recent purchase more than doubled the value of property I'm holding. I settled 3 weeks ago, snagged it below market value and recent sales (in the same complex no less) suggest I'm already up about 7% on purchase price.
Happiness and wellbeing, entirely unchanged.
Thought I would have a go, here are my answers 
1) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your income/net worth has?
Yes. I have just recently paid off my PPOR. Now me and my wife are focused on debt reduction.
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
Not really.
3) What's had the biggest positive, longterm impact on your happiness?
Paying off my PPOR, and finding out that my wife and I are expecting our first child in early June 2014.
4) What's had the biggest negative, longterm impact on your happiness?
The long hours I work to try and get a head financially. (50+ hours per week), but this has been done to pay down debt so we can afford to have children
5) Those who have reached "financial freedom", has your permanent level of happiness increased?
N/A
6) Any words of wisdom, insights, books, experiences, anything you recommend to SSers to increase their happiness and wellbeing?
Simply enjoy the simple things in life. Enjoy the quiet times, gardening with the wife, going for walks. Take time out. Lifes too short.
7) How old are you?
27
1) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your income/net worth has?
Yes. I have just recently paid off my PPOR. Now me and my wife are focused on debt reduction.
2) Has your level of happiness permanently increased as your portfolio has?
Not really.
3) What's had the biggest positive, longterm impact on your happiness?
Paying off my PPOR, and finding out that my wife and I are expecting our first child in early June 2014.
4) What's had the biggest negative, longterm impact on your happiness?
The long hours I work to try and get a head financially. (50+ hours per week), but this has been done to pay down debt so we can afford to have children
5) Those who have reached "financial freedom", has your permanent level of happiness increased?
N/A
6) Any words of wisdom, insights, books, experiences, anything you recommend to SSers to increase their happiness and wellbeing?
Simply enjoy the simple things in life. Enjoy the quiet times, gardening with the wife, going for walks. Take time out. Lifes too short.
7) How old are you?
27
^ House paid off at 27 years old, and now a baby on the way. Congratulations x 2.
Great TED talk on happiness- would recommend for watching
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html
Another good TED talk on the same subject matter: http://www.ted.com/talks/matthieu_ricard_on_the_habits_of_happiness.html
Thank You. Its been a hard slog. But all been worth it.
The baby has put a stop to property investing for a while though.
But all worthwhile sacrifices
Love the old threads
Great thread and an interesting read.
It certainly makes you think about what your investing 'dream' is contributing.
Blacky
It certainly makes you think about what your investing 'dream' is contributing.
Blacky
Lime no more
Thanks Richard.
I really like the raptitude link too. Thanks for posting.
Haven't made it to the Ted talks yet.
Blacky
Good to see you gave raptitude a crack and glad you've got something out of it too.
