The Lies Behind “The Happy Poor” and “The Sad Rich”

Let’s stop with this fictional narrative and face the actual facts.

Who never heard about a family that was poor but very happy. And how often we don’t see stories on the screens about how rich people can be sad and the only way to handle their days is by popping pills.

Well, I think that both cases are lies. I believe that they want us to believe in “The Happy Poor” and “The Sad Rich” to keep us exactly where we are. Why would you want to be a sad rich when you can be a happy poor? Isn’t it all about happiness anyway?

The truth is that no matter how happy someone is or not, everyone deserves to live with enough money to live a comfortable life, with a roof over their heads, with food on their tables for every meal, with clothes for every season and with access to a good public education and health system. Then, we can talk about happiness, but only after the basic needs are met.

We can’t deny that money is related to our happiness levels, so that’s why it is so hard to accept that a poor person can be happy because they don’t have money (because they don’t need money to be happy). I am sure that they are happy for many other reasons, but there is nothing to be happy about when they feel their pockets empty. In many ways, money can indeed bring happiness. And the same for the sad rich. I can’t accept that a rich person is sad because they have lots of money (or because their money cannot bring them happiness). Again, they are sad for many other reasons, but not because of their money.

Money is not the end goal. It’s what you do with your money that defines your life. That’s why it can bring happiness. Although money can’t resolve all problems, it can make things better when you are facing problems.

The happiest countries in the world are the ones with a large population of wealthy people that at the same time are largely supported by their governments. They not only have money in their bank accounts, but they also can count that their taxes are being used for the good of the population. They are living the dream.

Other studies also show that poor people are much more likely to suffer from mental health issues than rich people. This is obvious: how can you be happy when you don’t know if you will be able to pay your bills? Or you are on the edge of losing everything because of debts?

In my experience, being poor sucks. I don’t recommend it to anyone. The only reason that my mental health didn’t worsen during my period on governmental benefits in the UK was because my parents paid for my therapy in Brazil. And they are still paying. Therapy is more affordable in Brazil than in the UK. I would never be able to afford therapy in the UK, and I wouldn’t be where I am today. That’s for sure.

So yes, being poor sucks, and you are more likely to be a sad poor than a happy poor, the same as you are more likely to be a happy rich than a sad rich.

We all need money. A poor person needs money the same as a rich person needs it. We are dependent on money, and we can’t deny that. And money is a huge part of our happiness level.