If anyone were in a position to say that money matters, it’d be me. My husband and I are in our early 20s. We have three young children, all of whom have special needs. Some days we’ll have to spend $500 on appointments alone, other days it’ll just be the rushing around of other appointments. We are a single income family; he goes to work, while I stay home with the kids as I build up my writing career. Like most families, we struggle with the money that we have. But despite the significant role that it plays in our lives, I know that money doesn’t always matter. I know there is more to life than just money.
Follow your passion, not the dollar signs
When I first started blogging in 2011, I wanted to help others by inspiring them to lead better lives. But just like every other novice blogger, I thought, “Hey, I would love to make some money out of this.” So I threw ads all over the place, promoted every PR product offered to me, studied my statistics like crazy. But I never felt fulfilled. I felt like I had lost myself. I had overlooked the reason why I started blogging in the first place.
All bloggers, regardless of their niche, start blogging because they want to express their opinion and their thoughts on a particular topic. They want to share what they know to help other people. They want to make their own contribution to the blogosphere.
But when we, as bloggers, are driven merely by money, we lose focus of the ability to produce good content. All we see are dollar signs. Our intentions then become very transparent to our readers.
When I stopped thinking about the money, when I stopped seeing my blog as a ‘money-making scheme’, I actually achieved more success with it. I was putting time into my blog because I wanted to, not because I felt compelled to. I was writing into the early hours of the morning, because I was passionate about conveying my message. I inspired people and changed their lives for the better, because I wrote for my audience not for the awards and accolades.
Whether you are a blogger or not, don’t let money drive you to success. Don’t let the dollar signs be your only focus. Don’t aim to be rich, but to be happy. Follow your passion. Do what feels right for you.
In the book, ‘Personal Development for Smart People’, blogger Steve Pavlina states so eloquently:
“Don’t play the career game for cash. If you think money is the top prize, you’ll get suckered in by all kinds of get-rich-quick schemes, and you’ll make a lot of dumb bets. Even when you win the money you seek, you still lose because you miss the mark. The real prize is fulfillment. This means putting yourself in a position where you’re doing work you love, building your strengths and talents, enjoying abundant income, and making a meaningful contribution to others. Now that’s a prize worth having.”
So don’t just blog for the money. Don’t choose a high-paying job that you know will make you miserable. Seek to find some sort of middle ground that will allow you to be financially secure but emotionally happy at the same time. Don’t make the assumption that money alone will make you happy.
Money cannot replace the value of love
And when it comes to your relationships with others, don’t let money and gifts take precedence over everything else. Nothing you buy, no matter how extravagant and expensive, will replace the time and love that you give to someone else. Don’t assume that you need to buy presents for your loved ones to show them how much you care. Be their shoulder to cry on, the person they can rely on, the person who lifts them up when they’re down. The person who believes in them, even when they don’t. The person who loves and appreciates them.
Giving someone your love, time and understanding is worth so much more than any present.
Don’t let money rule your life
The reality is that we need money to survive, but don’t let it take over your life. Life is not all about money.
The house I live in may not be the biggest or the most beautiful, but it is my home. Our family may not have everything, but the love we feel within these walls is much more valuable than any money.
My family
So, take it from someone who doesn’t have the best of everything. Don’t live for money. Don’t let it be the definitive reason why you choose a particular career path over another. Don’t let it replace the time and love that you can otherwise give to someone else.
We may need money to survive, but it doesn’t always matter. In the scheme of things, true happiness matters so much more.
Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer, resume/cover letter writer and Youth Worker living in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.
Great post. I’d say with 3 beautiful daughters, (personally, I’d not classify them as “special needs”, I think that this creates a stigma for them and not necessarily a good thing) and a loving husband, you are far ahead of the game. You have a beautiful family and without a doubt, that love you guys share is far superior to anything money can buy.
We’ve discussed this before, money is nice, and I certainly wouldn’t reject it if I had an offer to take more of it, but I recognize that at the end of the day it is not everything. I read a post that said that on his death bed, the last thing Bob Marley said to his son was “Money can’t stop death”, or something to that effect. So yeah, it can provide many comforts, but you can’t take it with you and it will not keep you alive. Love and memories will. Your family can and will.
🙂
Stay blessed my friend.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Angel. I can see where you’re coming from with the “special needs” comment. I just like to explain so it makes sense why I’m paying such a large amount for medical bills, just to help with the confusion. It is a shame though about the stigmas of society.
Those are some very wise words from you and Bob Marley. That is so right – money can only provide certain comforts, but it’s the memories and the legacy that you leave behind that matter.
I guess that’s probably why people like you and me are writers – we want to leave behind our mark on the world, our thoughts – so that when we pass, a piece of us still lives on forever.
I really appreciate your continued support, Angel! Enjoy the rest of your day 🙂
Very inspiring post, I had no idea you were this young!
As for the money part, I’m with you on that. If anything, I want fame and connection more than anything in the long run. Sounds great to hear that your husband supports your writing career!
Glad to hear that you were inspired, Dennis! Haha and yes, I’m only 24 so pretty young at this stage 🙂
You’re so right – we all want to build a connection with our readers, to make a difference. It’s not about the money that we gain from blogging. But about the value that comes from knowing we’ve made a worthwhile contribution.
I am so incredibly lucky to have my husband, he’s always believed in my ability to write. I believe it’s so important to have a network of positive encouraging people who believe in us.
Thanks for your kind words, it means a lot 🙂
Money can’t buy happiness as the old saying goes. Sure, having money can make life easier, but it’s not the sole reason for living. If you notice I don’t have any ads on my blog yet. I’m doing it for fun and to be creative. It’s a hobby I enjoy. At one point I will put some ads up, but I’m not writing for revenue at this time.
Happiness is defined as much more than material wealth.
So true, Phil. And when we understand that’s what happiness is, we can truly feel happy.
this is right that money is not everything….i listen those words from my child age……but when i enters in the professional life then i realize this words and said that money is not everything but money is required for everything.
Hi Shubham,
That’s right – we may need money to survive but it does not equate to happiness.
Thank you for your thoughts!