They say that money makes the world go round, but we all know that the best things in life are free. It is often portrayed that with money comes power and respect, however there is rarely any mention of true happiness.
As my landmark 21st birthday fast approaches, here are the things I would take over money any day in the next exciting decade of my life.
1. Loved ones
It is no good being successful if you have no one to share it with, and up to this point in my life, money has never been my main motivation.
I want to make the people who invest so much support and love in me proud. Money might be able to buy you a lot of things, but you can't use your debit card to purchase love.
2. True friends
At least when you have no money, you know your friends are not just hanging out with you for the free stuff. Let's face it: We have to scrape all our change together to afford the parking before the hangout even starts. With friends, it is all about quality over quantity. I would rather have a small close group of friends who I know I can fully trust than hundreds of people who like my Instagram pictures, but never make any effort to get in touch.
3. Laughter
There is a famous quote that says, "A day without laughter, is a day wasted," and it is totally true. I admire determination in a person, but not if you lose your sense of humor along the way. I think it is the best quality anyone can have, and I really could not imagine my life without laughter.
4. Memories
Memories are irreplaceable; once an event has passed, you can never get the moment back again. Although many will fade with age, I would rather have a head bursting with happy, sad, new and old memories, knowing they have shaped me into the person I am today.
5. Health
Having had family members who have been extremely ill, I know that money cannot help you when you're lying in a hospital bed. Our own health, and the health of our loves ones, is the thing most people take for granted. We often forget there are thousands of people out there who would swap their life savings for their health.
6. Natural beauty
Money can buy you all the makeup in the world to cover your face, but at the end of the day, when you remove it, you have to be happy with what is left underneath. Don't get me wrong; I wear makeup and sometimes a lot of it if I'm going out, but loving the skin you are in is what it is all about.
7. Talent
If I get anywhere in life, I want it to be because of my own hard work and talent rather than throwing money at someone/something for self gain. You can never predict when anything can end, but if you nurture your talent you will always have it to fall back on.
8. Fresh Air
I love the sunshine, but there is something about walking in the wind (minus the rain) that I secretly love. I know it messes up the two minutes I've probably spent doing my hair, but it reminds me how amazing nature really is and is great at reducing stress. It is strange that something so simple can really give you perspective.
Luckily, next time I complain about having little money, I will always have this article to remind me of the important things in life.
