10 Rules for Living a Rich Life

You’re never too young or too old to start living a rich life. We’re not just talking about money. We’re talking about living a life well lived, full of joy, adventure, and acceptance. Sure, money is one component. Some might argue that it’s a critical component—I won’t disagree. But anyone who has been poor in financial wealth [been there], but rich in family and friends, knows that there is more to a rich life than money. No matter where you find yourself on the financial spectrum, here are 10 rules for living a rich life.

Living a Rich Life Requires You To Prioritize You

This might sound like I’m encouraging you to be selfish. Yep! I am definitely encouraging you to be selfish. Of course, there is a time and a place for everything—including being selfless. But first things first. Whether we’re talking finances or self-care, you need to prioritize you. 

Finances

When it comes to finances, the number one way to ensure that you always have money at your disposal is to pay yourself first. The sooner you can learn to pay yourself first, the better. Further, you should maximize that amount and give yourself a raise annually, no matter how nominal the amount. 

Money compounds more quickly than you realize. Every paycheck should automatically have money skimmed off the top that you never see and that goes into one or more financial products (investment, retirement, and savings). New to a pay-yourself budget? Start here. You’ll be on your way to financial freedom in no time [as long as you’re not living beyond your means and taking on bad debt].

Self-Care

If you know me or have read other articles of mine, you know that I am a big proponent of doing for yourself before doing for others. This is because you can’t give what you don’t have. If you’re an empty vessel, you’re no use to you or anyone else. Treat yourself like a precious object and show yourself some TLC—tender love and care—daily. 

Invest in your mind, body, and spirit by engaging in a strong daily routine of self-care. A good routine will include some form of physical activity, meditation, and gratitude. Only you know what you need, so don’t be afraid to carve out time. Even if only five minutes, make time for other non-negotiables or forms of decompression (ex: prayer, playing an instrument, reading, etc.). 

Be Open to Making New Friends

I used to think that I didn’t need new friends. I was perfectly content with my small group of very close friends I already had. As an INTJ, making new friends sounded like a giant time suck [time is valuable… know what I mean?]. While I won’t deny that making new friends requires an investment of time and strategic vulnerability, it’s sooo worth it.

Friends are fun! Living a rich life is that much easier and accessible when you’re surrounded by humans who love and get you. Trust me. There is someone wonderful out there who you haven’t met yet and the stories you’ll tell together will be epic. 

Further, it can be really advantageous to have a unique friend for different interests. Sure, you can always go solo and enjoy whatever you’re into. But having an accomplice is a surefire way to spice things up and break up the monotony of life. In addition to having a partner to engage in shenanigans with, you’ll also have a support system for when the going get’s tough.

You don’t have to go out of your way to make new friends. Just don’t resist it. Be open to the universe sending you a new buddy that fills a void you didn’t know you had.

Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself

We can be pretty brutal with ourselves at times. As a recovering perfectionist, no one knows this better than me. I tend to demand exceptionalism from myself at all times and that can be exhausting and damaging. Take it from me and don’t do that [don’t worry, I’m in recovery, thus why I can teach you these things in my blog]. It’s much more healthy and productive to focus on progress over perfection.

Wabi-Sabi

Be kind and extend yourself some grace. Treat yourself like the precious object that you are and introduce a little wabi-sabi into your life. If you’re not familiar with this Japanese philosophy, here’s a brief introduction to wabi-sabi [you can thank me in the comments ;-)]. While it can be difficult to remember and accept, there is beauty in our imperfections. Our imperfections make us unique and lead to growth. Further, our acceptance of our imperfections lead us to contentment. Contentment leads to happiness.

Embrace Adversity

While adversity can be painful, challenging, stressful, and even cause suffering, it’s a necessary ingredient of success. Adversity will find its way to you one way or another. It’s simply the nature of existing. However, as you develop aspirations, keep in mind that any goal in life—worth achieving—requires hard work. Remember, if whatever it is that you are trying to achieve were easy, everyone would do it.

Whether you are pursuing big dreams or are settled into a life well lived, accepting and embracing adversity positions you to move through challenges with the least resistance. There’s no sense in fighting the current of life. Simply let go, and channel your focus to the lessons you can gain. Those lessons are valuable and will serve you advantageously as you progress on your life’s journey.

Enjoy Each Season

Life is a constant state of flux. Remember that there is a time and season for everything. When you are young and have few responsibilities, you can likely be more carefree and take more risks. As you get older, build a family and/or career, your priorities change. 

Throughout your life, your friends will change. Your interests will change. Your body will change [as a woman, I don’t know what’s more challenging to accept: gray hair, wrinkles, or cellulite—but we’ll save that for another article]. Here’s the deal. This list could go on and on. With certainty, everything will change—even the things that you swore and thought never would.

Living a rich life is about embracing and enjoying the different seasons of your life. It’s impossible to have it all at once. But you can have it all. It just might not look how you imagined. The chances are high that all you want to experience and accomplish will likely ebb and flow throughout different seasons of your life. Savor those moments and take lots of pictures.

Live in the Present

It can be easy to live in the past. I implore you to resist the urge. Whether we experience our own regret, wish we would not have been the recipients of painful experiences, or yearn for what we’ve lost, focusing on the past can rob us of our present and future. 

Just the same, focusing too much on your future can be equally damaging. As human beings we tend to stress about what’s to come, the outcomes of our decisions, the impact of our failures on our future success in any number of areas of our lives. Sure, if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. But don’t plan yourself to death.

Living a rich life requires you to be present in the here and now. You will never be this young again. The thing that you’re enjoying about your life right now likely has a shelf life. Give it the attention it deserves. The thing that’s driving you crazy is temporary. Don’t let it take up residence in your mind longer than it should. Tomorrow isn’t a given, so treat yourself and do something today—no matter how tiny or seemingly insignificant—that brings you joy.

Love and Be Loved

Be kind to yourself and others. We’re all going through life together. Thus, we’ve all got baggage. Moreover, we’ve all got struggles that we’re trying to move through and overcome. Cherish the moments you have with the people you love and who love you. I’ll say it again—because it’s worth repeating—that tomorrow isn’t a given. You never know if the last time you see or spend time with someone will be the last time you see and spend time with them. If you love them, tell them.

While loving others might come easy for you, it’s possible that receiving love might not. Sometimes we might not feel worthy. Please know that you are always worthy of love. If someone handed you a crumpled up and battered $100 dollar bill, would you still take it? Does that $100 still have value? Of course it does. You. Will. Always. Be worthy of Love.