If you can still enjoy these 8 simple pleasures, you’re richer than most people

We tend to think of wealth in terms of numbers: the size of your paycheck, the square footage of your home, the digits in your savings account.

But the truth is, richness often shows up in ways that have nothing to do with money. The real markers of wealth are quieter and more universal—the simple pleasures that ground us, soothe us, and remind us of what’s good in life.

If you can still enjoy these eight everyday experiences, you’re living with a kind of richness most people spend their lives chasing.

1. A good night’s sleep

When was the last time you woke up and actually felt rested? If that’s still something you can count on, you’re luckier than most. In today’s overstimulated, always-on world, quality sleep is a luxury few consistently enjoy.

I still remember visiting my grandmother as a child and being in awe of her ability to fall asleep instantly, no matter what was going on. She didn’t need blackout curtains or calming playlists—she’d simply tuck herself into bed, take a deep breath, and drift off.

That simple ability felt like a superpower then, and honestly, now that I'm an adult, I can say it still does now.

You can have the biggest house and the best car, but if you’re exhausted every day, what good is it? The ability to lay your head down, drift off, and wake up ready for the day ahead is one of life’s greatest riches.

2. Laughing until your stomach hurts

There’s a kind of laughter that takes over your whole body—the kind where you can’t stop, your eyes water, and your cheeks ache.

If you still have that in your life, you’re richer than you realize.

One night a few years ago, I went out with friends and we ended up laughing so hard over something small—honestly, I can’t even remember what sparked it—that we had to leave the restaurant because we were disturbing everyone else.

We laughed until we were gasping for air, clinging to each other for balance. That memory, more than any gift or trip, is something I still think of when I need a boost.

Happy people aren’t those who never face challenges. They’re the ones who still make space for joy in the middle of them.

If you can find moments of unfiltered laughter—whether with family, friends, or even from a silly TV show—you’re holding onto one of life’s simplest treasures.

3. A meal that warms your soul

Everyone remembers a meal that felt like more than just food. Maybe it was your grandmother’s soup, a street taco from a vendor on a chilly evening, or a home-cooked dinner shared with friends.

When a meal nourishes both body and spirit, it becomes a kind of wealth that money can’t measure.

I’ll never forget a pot of chili my mom made one winter when the heater had gone out. We all sat around bundled in coats, blowing on our steaming bowls, laughing about how ridiculous it felt to see our breath indoors.

That chili tasted better than anything we could have ordered from a restaurant. It wasn’t the food alone—it was the comfort, the togetherness, the reminder that we had what we needed.

If you can still savor a meal that makes you close your eyes and sigh with contentment, you’re living in abundance, no matter what’s in your bank account.

4. Time outdoors in the fresh air

Not everyone has the freedom to step outside, breathe deeply, and feel the sun on their skin. If you do, you’re experiencing a richness many overlook.

Nature is a reset button for the nervous system. Research shows that spending just 20 minutes outdoors significantly lowers stress hormones and improves mood. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most healing experiences are free.

Whether it’s a long hike, a walk around your block, or simply sitting on your porch with a cup of tea, being able to access the outdoors and enjoy it is wealth in its purest form.

5. Music that moves you

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a song? The kind of music that hits you so deeply you feel goosebumps rise?

That’s not just entertainment—it’s a profound human experience.

Music activates areas of the brain tied to emotion and memory, making it one of the most powerful mood regulators we have. According to studies, listening to music you love can reduce anxiety, lift mood, and even improve cognitive performance.

The ability to still be moved by a melody, to close your eyes and let music carry you, is a richness many people take for granted. It costs nothing, but its impact is immeasurable.

6. A conversation that goes deep

Small talk has its place, but the real treasure lies in conversations that stretch late into the night—the ones where you lose track of time and walk away feeling seen.

If you have people in your life who engage with you this way, you’re wealthy in connection.

I think back to a night sitting in my best friend’s kitchen, tea mugs going cold as we talked about everything from heartbreak to our hopes for the future.

Hours slipped by, and neither of us noticed until the birds outside reminded us morning had arrived. That conversation didn’t cost a cent, but it left me feeling lighter, stronger, and more connected than ever.

If you still enjoy exchanges that go beyond “How’s the weather?” you’re holding onto one of the rarest and most valuable experiences in life.

7. The quiet of being alone without feeling lonely

There’s a difference between solitude and loneliness. When you can sit by yourself in peace—reading, walking, or simply existing—you’ve tapped into a form of richness that few people master.

Learning to enjoy your own company takes time, but it’s deeply rewarding. Rather than filling silence with distractions, you find meaning in it.

Solitude becomes a way to recharge, a reminder that your worth doesn’t depend on constant company.

Being comfortable in your own presence is a kind of wealth that can’t be bought, because it comes from inner steadiness rather than external validation.

8. The feeling of gratitude

At the end of the day, the richest people aren’t always those with the most—they’re the ones who can look at what they have and feel thankful. Gratitude is a perspective that transforms the ordinary into abundance.

It doesn’t have to be a grand practice. Sometimes it’s as small as pausing to notice the warmth of your morning coffee, a safe roof overhead, or the sound of someone you love laughing. Those acknowledgments shift everything.

Gratitude itself is a form of wealth—the more you notice it, the more abundant your life begins to feel.

Final thoughts

Richness doesn’t always come wrapped in dollar signs or big milestones. More often, it shows up quietly—in the laugh you can’t control, the song that stirs something deep, or the way fresh air softens a heavy day.

These simple pleasures don’t just make life lighter; they remind you that the best parts of being alive are often the ones money can’t touch.

The ability to notice and savor them is its own kind of wealth. It means you haven’t become numb to the beauty of ordinary moments, and that you’re still able to find joy in places others overlook.

That sensitivity to life’s smaller treasures is what makes you, in the truest sense, richer than most.