Week 7/25: Four Must Haves for Leading a Rich Life
Chai with Ghai
Welcome to Week 7/25.
Hello everyone! Just in case you haven't noticed, I've recently begun publishing my posts on Sundays.
Sundays are typically my most productive days. After the weekend, I'm naturally inclined to get back on track and gear up for the upcoming week. It's also the day when I'm most receptive to absorbing new content, establishing processes, and implementing changes for the week ahead.
Do you feel the same way about Sundays?
This week, I want to share my recent experiences and how they've reshaped my understanding of what it means to live a rich life.
Rich Life = Personalisation
Living abroad, I often complained about my small studio, washing dishes, doing laundry, cooking meals, and more. Naturally, I was excited to move back to India and upgrade my lifestyle. Yet, somehow, after moving, I felt poorer.
Then one day, it hit me: none of the things in my room were truly mine. Despite lounging on expensive couches chosen by some fancy interior designers, I missed the comfort of my budget-friendly Amazon couch. Despite being served multiple dishes, I longed for the healthier meals I used to prepare. The expensive paintings on the walls evoked nothing in me; I was missing the $10 football player posters from my old life. I was overly cautious, afraid to break something or buy anything new that might disrupt the carefully curated aesthetic of the room.
“The things you own end up owning you”
~ Tyler Durden, Fight Club
Rich Life = Allowed Mistakes
Living close to family means always having people around who look out for you, a sort of micro-management intended to make life easier and safer. However, having been forced to manage on my own for the last eight years, I've realized that true learning comes from being allowed to make mistakes.
For instance:
As a child, I wasn't allowed to trim my own nails. But once I got to boarding school and the matron insisted I trim my nails, I kept procrastinating. Eventually, one of my classmates noticed and ridiculed me in front of the whole dorm for not knowing how to use a nail trimmer.
Similarly, I learned to drive early but was never allowed to navigate traffic without a driver—again, a safety measure. When I moved to LA and driving became essential, I took to the roads with confidence but struggled quite a bit.
These experiences taught me that being constantly shielded doesn't truly prepare you for life. It's like learning a math equation but never applying it to solve a real-world problem. It turns out it's not as straightforward as it seems.
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
Rich Life = Location
Upon moving back home, I quickly started to miss the vibrant energy of city life, which led to a significant drop in my motivation. For someone who maintains a skincare routine, spends 45 minutes selecting outfits, works out, listens to entrepreneurial podcasts, and checks himself out in the mirror twice daily, this was an unprecedented low. I found myself lounging in boxer shorts, binge-watching Netflix, and even my diet and fitness began to slip.
I soon realized that while I considered my identity to be driven by intrinsic motivation, it was also subtly influenced by extrinsic factors. It turns out, working out isn't just about the quality of the gym—it's also about being motivated by seeing others work hard.
“Your environment will eat your goals and plans for breakfast”
~ Steve Pavlina
Rich Life = Company
Being surrounded by the right people is crucial to leading a rich life. Reflecting on different phases of my life, I realize how much my personality has been influenced by those I've spent the most time with. My experiences have varied so widely over short periods that I've become a firm opponent of the "just get through it, it's only a matter of ___ time" mindset. This philosophy often underestimates the impact that our company can have on us, even in a short time.
Of course, the type of company you keep depends on personal preferences. I, personally, prioritize surrounding myself with people who "analyze, not criticize." I strive to be around those who are open to discussing various ideas—no matter how foolish or brilliant they might seem—through analysis rather than criticism.
“Be curious, not judgemental”
~ Ted Lasso
Which One Did You Connect With Most?
Weekly Health Hack - Six Foods You Thought Were Healthy but Aren't
Here are some common foods that many people believe are healthy, but can be deceptively unhealthy:
Avocado - While these have healthy fats and are nutritious, they also contain up to 322 calories and 29 grams of fat per avocado.
Granola, Museli - Something I considered healthy for the longest time, it is calorie-dense and packed with sugars and fats.
Dried Fruits - Easy to consume in large amounts, they are very high in sugar.
Flavored Yogurt - Be cautious with fruit-flavored yogurts, as some can be even unhealthier than desserts.
Protein Bars - Many assume that protein bars are healthy, but often they are just marketed as "high-protein" while being loaded with carbohydrates and sugars.
Brown Bread - Most bread labeled as "whole grain" or "brown bread" is mixed with refined flour and sugars.
Weekly Non-Stereotypical Song Recommendation
Thank You For Reading!
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Email: kanavghai130@gmail.com