Spoiler: It’s not about the money—it’s about knowing when you’ve got enough.
I’m sprawled on my couch, laptop burning my thighs, scrolling X for the millionth time today. My Spotify’s shuffling through some lo-fi beats because I’m trying to “focus,” but let’s be real—I’m just avoiding my inbox. Like most 20-somethings, I’ve been chasing this vague dream of “financial freedom.” You know, that TikTok-fueled fantasy where you’re sipping oat milk lattes in a minimalist condo, Venmo-ing your friends for brunch without a second thought. No student loans, no 9-to-5, just vibes and passive income.
Sounds dope, right? I thought so too. I grew up in the era of hustle culture, where every YouTuber and LinkedIn bro was screaming, “Invest in crypto! Start a side gig! Buy real estate!” So, I did what any ambitious, slightly anxious Gen Z/Millennial hybrid would do: I worked my ass off. I saved every penny, threw cash into Robinhood like it was a slot machine, and binged Rich Dad Poor Dad like it was gospel. Financial freedom was the finish line, and I was sprinting toward it—more money, more investments, more everything.
But here’s the tea: the more money I made, the hungrier I got. It was like chasing a dopamine hit that never lasted. I’d hit a milestone—say, a 5K savings account—and instead of feeling free, I’d think, Why not 10K? Why not 50K? It was a trap, and I was the hamster on the wheel, running until I collapsed.
The Moment It Clicked
Flashback to 2020, when the world was a mess and I was glued to my phone, day-trading like I was Wolf of Wall Street. The pandemic had me stuck at home, so I dove headfirst into the stock market. I’d wake up at 6 a.m., chug a Monster, and stare at candlestick charts like they held the meaning of life. One day, I hit a jackpot—a stock I’d thrown most of my savings into turned into my first “multibagger” (fancy Wall Street talk for “I made bank”). I was hyped. Like, post-it-on-X, flex-in-the-group-chat hyped.
But the high didn’t last. Instead of chilling, I got greedier. I wanted more—more stocks, more gains, more clout. I was refreshing my portfolio every 20 minutes, calculating my net worth in Google Sheets like a wannabe Elon Musk. Then, one night, while doomscrolling Instagram at 2 a.m., I stumbled on a post that hit me like a truck:
“You’ll never be rich until you realize wealth isn’t about having more. It’s about knowing when you have enough.”
I froze. It was like the algorithm had read my soul. I’d been chasing a moving target, thinking a bigger bank account would make me free. But the truth? I was chained to my own ambition.
Enough Is the Real Flex
Here’s where I get a little vulnerable. I’m not saying money doesn’t matter—bills are real, and avocado toast ain’t cheap. But financial freedom isn’t about stacking cash until you’re Scrooge McDuck swimming in gold. It’s about defining “enough” and actually believing it. That’s the part nobody talks about on X or in those “10 Steps to Millions” Medium posts.
I started rethinking everything. Like, why was I checking my investments every hour? Why was I stressing over a $200 dip in my portfolio when I could’ve been, I don’t know, calling my mom or binge-watching Euphoria? I was so obsessed with the finish line that I forgot to enjoy the race. And let’s be honest, the race is rigged. Consumerism’s got us thinking we need a Tesla, a Stanley cup, and a trip to Bali to be happy. Spoiler: you don’t.
I came across this quote from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money that sealed the deal for me:
“The problem is when your desire for more—more money, more power, more status—grows faster than your satisfaction.”
Oof. That hit harder than a TikTok sound going viral. I realized I’d been letting my wants outrun my contentment. And in 2025, with inflation, AI taking jobs, and the internet screaming “hustle harder,” it’s so easy to fall into that trap.
Redefining the Finish Line
So, I made a change. I stopped treating financial freedom like a destination and started seeing it as a mindset. I ditched the pointless habits—obsessively checking stock prices, running “what if I invest $1K a month for 30 years” calculators, updating my net worth spreadsheet like it was my diary. Instead, I focused on what actually matters: my health, my friends, my time.
I started asking myself, What does “enough” look like for me? For now, it’s a life where I can pay my rent, grab drinks with friends, and maybe save a little for a rainy day without losing sleep over market crashes. It’s not sexy, but it’s mine. And the wild part? Once I defined my own finish line, I felt lighter. Freer. Like I could breathe without a budget app judging me.
You’re Freer Than You Think
Look, I get it. The world’s a pressure cooker. Between student loans, rent hikes, and the constant flexing on social media, it’s hard not to feel like you’re falling behind. But hear me out: financial freedom isn’t about out-earning your desires. It’s about taming them. It’s about realizing you don’t need a million bucks to feel rich—you just need to know what’s enough for you.
So, take a sec. Pause your hustle. Ask yourself: What’s my “enough”? Maybe it’s a small apartment with a killer view. Maybe it’s enough to quit your soul-sucking job and freelance. Whatever it is, stop chasing someone else’s finish line. Define your own, and you’re already halfway there.
The Real Glow-Up
Financial freedom isn’t a number in your bank account—it’s a vibe. It’s waking up without that gnawing need for more. It’s choosing a life that feels full, not one that looks good on X. And trust me, once you figure out what “enough” means to you, the game changes. You’re not just free—you’re alive.
So, what’s your “enough”? Hit me with it. I’m all ears.
