What to do if you have money and no happiness

It would be difficult to find the right thing, about which nothing is known, even if you were given eternity and all the money in the world.

The paradox of the modern world is that we have reached unprecedented levels of material well-being, but the number of people suffering from depression and anxiety continues to grow. According to the World Health Organization, depression affects more than 280 million people worldwide, and a significant proportion of them live in economically developed countries.

The scientific basis of the problem
Research by Princeton University psychologists has shown that a person’s emotional well-being does increase with income, but only to a certain point. This point, called the saturation threshold, is roughly $75,000 a year for the average American. After reaching this level, extra money has almost no effect on happiness.
The phenomenon is called “hedonic adaptation” – the ability of the human psyche to get used to any level of comfort and perceive it as a new norm. What seemed like a luxury yesterday is becoming a commonplace today, requiring new incentives for pleasure.

Anatomy of emptiness
Imagine a successful IT entrepreneur Alexei, who at 35 sold his startup for $50 million. He has a penthouse in the center of Moscow, a country house, a collection of expensive cars and the ability to travel anywhere in the world. But every morning he wakes up with a feeling of emptiness and wonders, "What is all this for?"

Alexei's story is not unique. Psychotherapists from private clinics note a growing flow of clients from among financially successful people who suffer from an existential crisis. They achieved all the material goals they set for themselves, but found that the finish line was a mirage.

The comparison trap
One of the main reasons for the dissatisfaction of the rich is the constant comparison with the rich. Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky has shown that relative status influences stress levels more than absolute well-being. A millionaire feels like a loser next to a billionaire, just as a middle-income person feels like a millionaire.
Practical solutions
Specific strategies for making sense
Rethinking success: Replace quantitative indicators (how much you earned, what you bought) with qualitative ones (who you helped, what you created, how you changed). Keep an achievement diary focusing not on financial results but on personal growth and influence.

The "Flow" principle: Find activities that completely absorb your attention and bring satisfaction to the process rather than the result. This can be learning a new language, doing art, sports or volunteering. The main condition is that the task must be complex enough to require concentration, but feasible.

Investment in relationships: The Harvard Happiness Study, which has been going on for 80+ years, clearly showed that the quality of interpersonal relationships is the main predictor of life satisfaction. Spend time and resources building connections with family and friends rather than accumulating wealth.


The paradox of choice
Psychologist Barry Schwartz described the phenomenon of the “paradox of choice”: the more opportunities a person has, the harder it is to make decisions and the less satisfied he is with the result. Wealth provides almost limitless choices, which can lead to decision paralysis and constant doubt.
Decision: Set artificial limits for yourself. For example, limit the number of restaurants you consider for dinner to three options. Or choose one charity for regular support instead of spraying funds on multiple projects.

Finding Meaning Through Service
Research by neuropsychologist Richard Davidson has shown that the brains of people who regularly engage in altruistic activities show increased activity in areas associated with positive emotions and well-being. It’s not just a correlation—helping others literally rearranges neural networks toward greater happiness.

Bill Gates described the moment he realized his billions could save millions of lives in the developing world as “the happiest day of my life.” Not Microsoft’s day of sale, but the moment of understanding the possibility of serving humanity.

Practical Steps to a Meaningful Life
Legacy technique: Every night, ask yourself, “What did I do today that will matter in 10 years?” If there is no response for several days in a row, it is a signal to reconsider priorities.
The 80/20 principle for meaning: Dedicate 20% of your time and resources to activities that do not directly bring financial benefits, but provide a sense of meaning. This can be mentoring young entrepreneurs, creating educational content or participating in social projects.
Mortality meditation: It sounds grim, but the regular reminder of the finiteness of life helps to rethink priorities. Steve Jobs asked himself daily, “If this was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I had planned for today?”

Redefining Wealth
Real wealth is not the amount of money in your account, but the quality of time you have. It is the freedom to choose who to spend time with, what to do, and how to influence the world. Money is only a tool to achieve this freedom, not an end.
A study of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Index shows that this poor Himalayan country has one of the highest levels of life satisfaction in the world, thanks to its focus on spiritual development, ecology, culture and fair governance.
The key to real wealth
Happiness is not in the amount of money, but in the ability to find meaning in each day. Start small: help one person, learn something new, spend quality time with loved ones. Real wealth is not measured in rubles, but in moments when you feel alive and needed.
Remember, you are already rich in opportunities. The only question is how you handle them.

Glossary
Hedonistic adaptation
A psychological phenomenon in which people quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite positive or negative life events.

An existential crisis
A state of anxiety and doubt about the meaning and purpose of life, often arising when material goals are achieved without obtaining the expected satisfaction.

Flow (flow)
Psychological state of complete immersion in activity, in which a person loses a sense of time and self-awareness, experiencing deep satisfaction with the process.

The paradox of choice
A psychological phenomenon in which an increase in the number of available options leads to a decrease in satisfaction with the decision made and a complication of the selection process.

altruism
A principle of behavior based on unselfish concern for the well-being of others, often to the detriment of one’s own interests.

Neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to change its structure and function in response to experience, learning, and changes in behavior.