It can be easy to lose sight of the most important things in life, putting friends, family, and your personal time on a backburner in place of work and money. This can lead to an addiction of its own that can be detrimental to your quality of life and something that you will regret down the road. Money is an important thing, especially for those who have ever had to make do without or struggle financially, however it isn’t everything in life. It is important to find a healthy balance of work and personal life, not allowing your drive to make more money to control every aspect of your life.
Common Reasons for Money Addiction
Drive for success can make you more susceptible to a money addiction, as your accumulated wealth directly corresponds with success. This often stems from your childhood and upbringing. Those who grew up surrounded by family that put financial success ahead of all else will often mature into adults that share these same values towards money. Conversely, individuals who grew up in households where there wasn’t enough money will try to overcompensate for this type of childhood, with an unhealthy focus on money as an adult.
There is a genetic component to addiction and substance abuse. Demonstrating a money or work addiction is another way this susceptibility can manifest itself. If you or a family member have had past addiction issues, you are more likely to demonstrate these same addictive tendencies towards money and work.
How a Money and Work Addiction May Be Harming Your Life
It can be difficult for those suffering from a money or work addiction to see the negative effect that this is having on their lives. One of the most frequent things to suffer is your relationship with others, from close friends to family and your significant other. A constant preoccupation with money and work will leave you not present, even when you are physically there. This distance can quickly become like a wall, keeping you from developing and maintaining meaningful relationships.
Those suffering from a money addiction may be more likely to compromise their morals and beliefs in pursuit of more money. This may include engaging in illegal or immoral activities that will have a financial payoff. This can be a dangerous situation, as finding a monetary reward for this behavior can lead you to continue making poor decisions.
Finding the Healthy Balance of Work and Pleasure
Having an unbalanced work and life relationship can lead to an increased risk of stress and anxiety. Constantly thinking about work and money can leave you with reduced overall life satisfaction, as you take little or no time to enjoy things in life that do not bring you more wealth accumulation. This unhealthy balance can then lead you to pursue even more money, driving harder at work, as you assume that this will bring you the happiness that you seek. This then becomes a cycle of addiction, as your money and work aspirations can quickly spiral out of control.
If you or a loved one are suffering from a money and work addiction, finding treatment through professional therapy can help you to find the right balance in your life.
