For several years, wealth was measured by money, status, and possessions; however, the concept of wealth continues to evolve. Gen Z and millennials are starting to value other things and see them as luxuries.
With the increased importance placed on freedom as it pertains to work, life, and lifestyle, there is a growing recognition that a life rich in freedom allows for better health (both mentally and physically), an increase in creativity, and greater peace of mind.
This is why freedom is emerging as a new, and perhaps the most important, form of riqueza. Here are some reasons why.
1. Freedom Gives Control Over Your Time
Having your time is one of the most important things you can have because you can choose where to put your time and whether you want to spend those hours, whether it is working, taking breaks, or spending time with family or friends.
By being able to plan your hours and not feel rushed or overwhelmed, you will be able to balance your daily life. Those who do have this time freedom feel richer than those who earn higher incomes but do not have time for themselves.
You will feel a greater sense of control over your schedule and have a more purposeful and less stressful life.
2. Freedom Reduces Daily Stress
Having limited freedom results in being under a lot of stress and anxiety. When you are free, you are able to choose based on your own needs instead of being controlled by fear.
Having this option reduces anxiety and the amount of mental activity required. You can say no without feeling guilty when you are free.
Stress levels decrease when you are not stuck in an unsatisfactory situation. A calmer state of mind produces better health and greater focus.
3. Freedom Improves Mental Health
Emotional well-being is supported by freedom. Freedom allows people to breathe, contemplate, and heal. When people have the freedom to set boundaries for mental health, they can leave harmful situations.
When people have choices, they create a sense of inner safety. Mental clarity and peace of mind are often much more valuable than money.
Freedom supports a sense of completeness and removes the feeling of constant stress or being controlled by outside forces.
4. Freedom Allows Authentic Living
Being free means being able to live an honest life. When people are not ‘jailed,’ they can express themselves without fear of judgment.
Freedom allows you to accept yourself, which means that you have fewer inner conflicts and therefore less emotional fatigue. When you live as yourself, you become more confident and fulfilled, instead of chasing someone’s approval and risking your own peace.
The life you live as yourself will always be richer and more satisfying than the “successful” life you create for other people.
5. Freedom Supports Better Work-Life Balance
People’s approach to work has changed with the introduction of flexibility. Work can become part of your life rather than replace it.
People are able to take breaks when they need them and have purpose in their work.
A person’s ability to have a good balance between physical and emotional health improves, and having a balance creates a much fuller experience of their life and can create wealth through the enjoyment of both working hard and taking time off, without constant sacrifice or guilt.
6. Freedom Encourages Creativity
Creativity flourishes in an open environment. When people feel free to be creative, they are able to generate more ideas. Creative thought enables us to come up with new ways to solve problems or create new things.
The freedom provided for creative thought also allows for exploration of different options and creates an environment in which you feel as though you have a wealth of possibilities.
Creativity adds value to your life and not just financially. The ability to express yourself freely through your imagination allows you to create, which, in return, brings you money.
7. Freedom Strengthens Relationships
A healthy relationship is based on choice, not obligation. Being free allows you to connect willingly with other people, which creates more authentic connections.
When a person stays in a relationship out of choice, trust increases. Freedom also helps eliminate resentment and emotional pressure.
Relationships built on freedom are lighter and more rewarding. A deeper emotional connection creates a form of wealth that is valuable in itself.
8. Freedom Gives Power to Choose Priorities
People use their freedom to choose what they value most. By using their time, energy, and attention according to their values, people become clearer about their decisions and have fewer regrets.
They no longer allow their lives to be governed by autopilot. Intentionally prioritizing what is most important to them gives people added meaning and purpose in life.
When people act in alignment with their beliefs, their lives will feel more fulfilling than merely being busy.
9. Freedom Supports Physical Health
Freedom enables healthier lifestyle options. People can exercise, relax, and fuel themselves according to what they need.
As a result, fewer individuals are subjected to stress-related diseases.
In a less restrictive environment, recovery from illnesses is often quicker, and the ability to maintain health becomes easier. Physical wellness is one of the greatest types of wealth.
10. Freedom Creates a Sense of Inner Wealth
Having wealth internally gives you greater freedom, peace, confidence, and fulfillment than having wealth externally.
People are less likely to rely on external rewards to satisfy them. Individuals find great satisfaction in having the ability to live by their own standards.
Whereas material success gives you a temporary feeling of wealth, your internal feelings of wealth will be with you longer than material success.
Born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ever since I was a little girl, my imagination knew no bounds. I remember vividly how I’d scribble down short stories, each page bursting with adventures and characters conjured up from the whimsy of my mind. These stories weren’t just for me; they were my way of connecting with my friends, offering them a slice of my fantasy world during our playtimes. The joy and excitement on their faces as we dived into my fictional realms motivated me to keep writing. This early passion for storytelling naturally evolved into my pursuit of writing, turning a childhood hobby into a fulfilling career.