Success Is Changing: Why Health and Happiness Are Replacing Titles and Wealth
For generations, the definition of “success” seemed clear: a big house, a shiny car, a prestigious job title, and a bank account to match. But a new wave of young adults is quietly rewriting that script.
A recent Bank of America survey of Americans aged 18 to 34 found that physical and mental health now rank as the top measures of success, while wealth sits in fifth place. This marks a cultural shift from external markers to deeply personal, internal ones.
It’s not about how your life looks anymore—it’s about how it feels.
1. From Flashy to Fulfilled
Natalie Armendariz, 40, embodies this shift. She and her husband left fast-paced New York for Texas, starting a small design agency that intentionally shuts down one week every quarter to rest and reconnect. Her words cut through the noise:
“Success is quieter. It’s not flashy titles and salaries. It’s how I feel about the things I am doing, how much time I have to spend with my family.”
📖 This mirrors research from the World Happiness Report (2023), which found that life satisfaction is most strongly linked to social support, health, and balance—not constant hustle. It’s also why more people are investing in tools that make slowing down possible, like this productivity journal that helps you prioritize well-being alongside work.h, and personal freedom, not income once basic needs are met.
2. Why This Matters in the Filipino Context
In the Philippines, many still measure success by diplomas, overseas work, and financial stability. These are important—but if health and relationships are sacrificed along the way, is it really success?
We see OFWs working 12-hour shifts, professionals burning out in their 30s, and parents missing milestones with their children—all in pursuit of a future that sometimes never comes.
💡 Lesson: It’s time to measure success in terms of quality of life, not just quantity of possessions. One simple shift could be creating more intentional daily routines—something as straightforward as using a guided wellness planner to carve out time for rest, family, and personal goals, even when life gets hectic.
3. The Rise of “Holistic Success”
Psychologist Martin Seligman, known for Positive Psychology, identifies five pillars of well-being: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA Model, 2011). Notice that wealth is not one of them—it’s only a tool, not the goal.
For younger generations, the new success equation looks more like this:
Good health + meaningful work + strong relationships = a life worth living. And for many, that starts with small, daily habits—like keeping a gratitude journal that keeps you focused on what truly matters instead of just chasing the next paycheck.
4. Practical Ways to Redefine Success for Yourself
- Schedule rest as seriously as you schedule meetings.
- Invest in health before wealth—exercise, eat well, and monitor mental health.
- Value relationships as much as career growth.
- Say no to opportunities that rob you of time, peace, or purpose.
- Track what matters—consider using a goal journal to reflect on more than just financial achievements.
Final Thought
In a world that shouts “more, more, more,” it takes courage to say, “enough.”
Maybe success isn’t about reaching the top of a ladder—it’s about making sure the ladder is leaning against the right wall.
Because at the end of the day, you can always earn more money. But you can’t earn back time, health, or moments with the people you love.