At 29, I realized I was rich, but not in the way I used to chase. I am Soulfully Rich Living.
For so many, the concept of wealth is tied solely to financial success, leaps along the corporate ladder or capital gains: Big bank accounts, investment portfolios, and material possessions.
But what does it mean to be truly rich? For so many, the concept of wealth is tied solely to financial success, leaps along the corporate ladder, or capital gains: big bank accounts, investment portfolios, and material possessions.
But is there more to life than money and accumulating wealth? Can being rich mean something far deeper? Something soulfully rich?
The Power of a Money Mindset Shift
A money mindset shift can transform how you view abundance, allowing you to gain spiritual and emotional fulfillment alongside financial stability.
Let’s explore what it really means to live soulfully rich.
When you think of the word “rich,” what comes to mind? The obvious synonyms like money, assets, and lavish items. But is that all there is to wealth?
The truth is, true richness includes so much more. To be soulfully rich is to embrace abundance in every aspect of life—relationships, health, faith, and personal growth. This shift in your money mindset opens the door to a fulfilling life that isn’t tied to the size of your bank account.
My Leap of Faith: Finding Soulfully Rich Living
In 2024, I embarked on a journey that completely transformed my understanding of wealth. I left my stable government job as an economic developer and moved to sunny Florida. It was a new kind of humidity for my Louisiana lungs, and a cost of living adjustment nearly double what I was used to.
No job. No friends. No guarantees.
It was a leap of faith, but one that led me to discover the richness of spiritual abundance.
I felt called to Florida’s Gulf Coast. And it was more than just the breathtaking purple haze sunsets on the beach or the extra minty mojito.
For the first time in my life, I felt free. I wasn’t chasing promotions. I wasn’t “chasing the bag.” The carousel of life suddenly felt like it was spinning at a calmer pace.
That is the essence of Soulfully Rich Living.
As I began to make Florida my home, I started navigating the terrain of the job market.
It was a draining process filled with red flags—from fake job postings that were likely scams to organizations with misaligned cultures.
So, I just worked for myself. Side gigs like Instacart and tutoring English and writing skills to high school students online became my primary source of income. A steep decline from salaries I once commanded and not as fancy of titles, either. I also provided freelance public relations and writing services via Fiverr.
All in all, it wasn’t so bad. Although it took working nearly 60 hours per week, I was able to support myself. I still got by, just as I did before.
For the first time in my life, I was taking a pause—a break from long hours to improve a company’s bottom line, a break from submitting PTO requests, a break from Zoom calls that could have been emails.
And during that break, there was still hard work and hustle.
But there was also an element of freedom. I controlled the clock. In that free time, I found myself growing and developing spiritually.
More praying. More manifestation. More being in community with aligned folks.
Finding My Tribe
I eventually joined a growing, affirming Methodist congregation just a few blocks from my old apartment.
I went alone one Sunday morning, unsure of what I was looking for, but what I found was community—people who greeted me by name, who prayed with me, and who reminded me I wasn’t alone.
Week after week, I returned. The sermons nourished me. The music revived me. That space became a spiritual anchor during a season of uncertainty.
My faith journey taught me that richness is about being surrounded by love, laughter, community, compassion, and purpose—not material possessions.
The Bigger Picture
It’s easy to feel trapped by the pressure to achieve financial success.
After all, everyone in your friend circle is “chasing the bag.”
I was. And when I did, I felt like a hamster racing on a wheel. Once I stopped, I realized those things mattered less.
When I was chasing money and corporate moves up the ladder, I wasn’t happy.
It required me to sacrifice things that didn’t cost money that I now know are invaluable.
And I’m not alone in this. Research shows that money only contributes to happiness up to a certain point. That means all of that effort—the times I “paid my dues” and performed free labor—would have only amounted to a minimal amount of happiness.
Don’t get me wrong, I get the meme of the person saying they’d rather cry in a Bugatti than a Honda Civic (no shade to Honda drivers).
But our well-being is made up of so many more factors than just our net worth. There are many non-material factors that play a part in us being happy. In fact, Harvard researchers believe those who prioritize experiences over materialism achieve higher levels of life satisfaction.
Non-material factors that influence emotional well-being:
- Strong relationships: Building meaningful relationships with family and friends provides a sense of belonging and love that contributes significantly to happiness.
- Personal growth: Investing in self-fulfillment through learning, hobbies, and personal development leads to a different kind of joy that money cannot provide.
- Experiences over possessions: Studies suggest that experiences create more lasting happiness than material possessions.
- Sense of purpose and meaning: Having a sense of meaning and purpose in life, often derived from serving something bigger than oneself, is a strong predictor of well-being.
- Gratitude, mindfulness, and generosity: Cultivating gratitude, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in acts of kindness can enhance overall well-being.
- Good physical and mental health: Healthy habits such as regular exercise, a nutritional diet, and sufficient sleep are fundamental to emotional well-being.
- Realistic goals and optimism: Setting achievable goals and maintaining an optimistic outlook contribute to a sense of accomplishment and contentment.
By shifting your mindset to focus on spiritual and emotional wealth, you can break free from the cycle of financial stress and find deeper fulfillment.
Soulfully Rich Living: A New Kind of Wealth
Today, I still don’t have a six-figure job title or a corner office—but I wake up each morning with a sense of peace I never had when I was “chasing the bag.”
I’ve learned that richness shows up in the quiet things: a warm conversation after church, watering plants in the garden, a message from a student saying thank you.
I’m not saying I’ve figured it all out. But, I have learned that wealth isn’t always something you earn. Sometimes, it’s something you notice.
Being soulfully rich is about redefining wealth to include spiritual, emotional, and relational abundance. It’s a journey that begins with a shift in your money mindset and ends with a life of fulfillment and purpose.
Take the first step today by reflecting on the richness already present in your life—and embrace the possibility of living soulfully rich.
