What is Your "Rich Life"?

Hello there. Molweni bethuna :)

Piggybacking off last week’s blog post on prioritizing well-being when setting goals (if you haven’t read it yet… RUN 🏃‍♀️), I want to take the conversation a step further and explore what building a life that feels good to you could actually look like.

The truth is, without a clear picture of what that life looks like, it’s hard to set goals that truly support it. It’s also hard to build a career that fits within it, rather than forcing your life to fit around your work. Ideally, our goals—and even our careers—should align with the vision we have for our lives, not the other way around.

While thinking about this topic, I was reminded of a Netflix show my husband and I stumbled upon a few years ago: How to Get Rich, hosted by Ramit Sethi. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and it left a lasting impression on us. The show focuses on personal finance and helping people manage their money more effectively. What stood out most was how Ramit encourages individuals to define what truly matters to them, then helps them create a financial strategy that aligns with those values. In essence, he guides them toward building their own version of a “Rich Life.”

But I believe this concept extends beyond finances. A “Rich Life” isn’t defined by how much money you have—it’s about how intentionally you integrate and prioritize different areas of your life to create one that feels fulfilling. It’s a life that aligns with your aspirations and purpose, supports your well-being, and ultimately, feels rich to you.

A "Rich Life" is a subjective and personal concept.

This means that it will be different for everyone. Certain aspects can evolve depending on the seasons of your life. Typical themes/pillars that one can look at when defining their "Rich Life" are : finances, career, relationships, purpose and impact, as well as interests. When my husband and I were watching the show, we started to have an ongoing conversation about what our rich lives look like. To be honest, I am still figuring it out. My "Rich Life" is not clearly defined yet, however I found that the little bit of clarity that I have gained in certain aspects has made goal setting, decision making and prioritization a lot easier. There are some decisions that I have not wrestled with simply because what I want for my life in certain areas is clear to me.

The key pillars in my definition of a "Rich Life" include: finances, career, relationships, purpose, and interests. I’ll admit, my definition under the financial pillar is still a bit shaky—LOL! In fact, the first time I shared it with my husband, he chuckled. Right now, my “Rich Life” financially means being able to buy what I want, when I want. I know, I know… it’s vague, sounds expensive, and borderline impulsive. Ha! But hear me out—I have pretty reasonable taste. And by reasonable, I mean not expensive. 😄

This pillar is still a work in progress, but at its core, I’m really just seeking financial security. What does that mean for me? Not having to constantly think about or worry over money.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on something Morgan Housel (author of The Psychology of Money) said in a podcast: the importance of knowing how much is enough for you, and what truly matters. He emphasized that without a clear definition, you risk working yourself to the bone in hopes of enjoying your money “someday.” That really stuck with me. I found myself thinking, What’s your number?

It’s not always easy to define a fixed number—life is dynamic and nuanced—but it may be helpful to revisit and redefine it seasonally. Doing so could guide the kinds of roles you accept and, in this era of hustle culture, the side gigs you take on and the time you dedicate to them.

When reflecting on this pillar, it’s important to consider how your pursuit of financial stability can support—not sabotage—your other pillars in your version of a “Rich Life.”

My relationship pillar is rooted in being able to show up for my people when it truly matters. When it comes to my family especially, I want to be present without feeling guilty for prioritizing them. That’s why I value having a certain level of flexibility in my life. People close to me know I often joke about retiring at 35 to become a stay-at-home wife—but let’s be honest, I’m just not built for that life (this is a safe space, right?). The truth is, I’m not a natural homemaker. I do what needs to be done, but it doesn’t bring me joy. What does bring me joy is being there for my family.

Right now, my goal for this pillar is to define what flexibility actually looks like for me—and how I can start creating it.

As you think about your own “Rich Life,” consider how you want to show up in your relationships. This pillar is really about finding that sweet spot between the ideal and the practical—because you’re only one person. It’s unrealistic to expect yourself to show up the same way in every relationship, all the time. Instead, focus on cultivating connections in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling drained. Remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup.

I’ve always had a desire to see the world, so being able to travel is definitely a part of my “Rich Life.” In my first draft of this pillar, I was a bit ambitious—I said I wanted to travel where I want, when I want. I’m even giggling as I write this. Look, I have no doubt that one day I’ll reach a point in life where spontaneous travel is possible, but right now, it’s just not a realistic goal. So, we’ll park that one for future Zizo.

That said, the where is still within my control.

The last theme—or pillar—I’m focusing on in creating my “Rich Life” is the ability to pursue my passions and live a life of impact. And by impact, I don’t mean standing on big stages or speaking to large audiences. I simply mean doing work and making contributions that matter.

The fact that you’re reading this blog post is proof that I’ve made a conscious decision to start building my version of a “Rich Life.” It doesn’t come without sacrifice—but it fulfills me.

The first step to defining your “Rich Life” is identifying your pillars—these are the markers of what truly matters to you. The most important thing to remember is that this is your “Rich Life,” so define it with you in mind. It will take time, reflection, and many iterations. As you move through life, you’ll refine it—letting go of what no longer serves you and adding what aligns with who you’re becoming.

Building your “Rich Life” requires intention. Having a variety of pillars helps ensure you don’t build your life around just one area (for me, that was my career). Instead, it allows you to become a well-rounded human being—living with balance, purpose, and clarity.

So, what does your “Rich Life” look like?

Lots of love

Zizo