What I Learned from The 5 Types of Wealth: Redefining My Life Assets

Those who age quietly deserve our care and love.

Those who run together are just too coooool.

Those “urgent” things aren’t necessarily important.

That love we’re always chasing.

Those weekly rituals about relationships in life that I cherish.

……

In March, I read The 5 Types of Wealth, and this book provided a perfect framework for all these scattered insights floating in my mind. It told me that wealth is far more than money—it’s about our social connections, physical and mental well-being, spirit, and time.

Social Wealth: The Most Important Asset Is “Relationships”

If the fleeting pleasure from lifestyle upgrades is like the short dopamine hits from scrolling through short videos, then stable relationships can bring lasting happiness.

• Build Your “Rituals” The book says: “The key to healthy aging is relationships, relationships, and relationships.” I deeply resonate with this. I now treasure those fixed “rituals” immensely: the Thursday night call home, Monday afternoon hangouts with classmates, Friday and Saturday martial arts classes… When those times approach, I start looking forward to them, completely immersed in happiness. This is the beauty of resisting life’s rushing current.

• Let Those Who Love You Understand Your “Why” We tend to hide what we pour our energy into from our parents, worried about being steered off course, refusing deep communication. But I’ve recently discovered that helping the few people in the world who truly care about you understand you is far more important than finding resonance with ten thousand strangers. Helping them understand why you’re so busy is itself an act of love.

• Love Is a Game Where You Don’t Keep Score “Never keep score in love.” When it feels right, just give. Don’t hold back thinking “you don’t reach out to me often” and then refuse to share. Not keeping score in love creates more beautiful memories. Just love the right person.

• Learn to Listen When someone you love comes to you with a problem, first ask: “Do you need help, someone to listen, or a hug?” I used to rush to give solutions, but I later realized that often what the other person needs isn’t advice—just you listening, you caring. This has made me a better listener.

Physical and Mental Wealth: Taking Care of the Engine That Drives You Forward

• Distinguish “Urgent” from “Important”

  The Eisenhower Matrix says: “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important.” This isn’t just a reminder when making choices; it’s also comfort when you’re feeling down.

  For instance, one day my throat really hurt and my head felt heavy. The hiking trip we’d planned seemed impossible, and a strange sadness washed over me, calling me to give up and go back to the dorm to play video games. But I thought, I’ll get over this illness eventually—why not enjoy today’s sunshine? As long as I can still walk, going for a stroll is one of the most important things in life.

• Beware of “Attention Residue” Constantly switching tasks drains our energy. This is why many successful people choose to study or do what they consider important right after waking up early. For example, my morning runs lately make it easier to enter a state of deep thinking and flow. On regular days, I try to put work and study in the morning, because knowing the afternoon belongs to me is like having a carrot dangling above—it keeps me running with more energy.

• Go for a Walk! Walking is one of humanity’s greatest breakthroughs! Whether alone or with others, happy or sad, free or busy, it always brings positive effects. People who walk together find it easier to really talk.

Spiritual Wealth: Finding Your “Life Razor”

• Remember You Will Die “Remembering that you will die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You have nothing to lose.” Remembering your own fragility has always been the best medicine against feelings of scarcity. Time is limited—why not do what you love?

• Find Your “Life Razor”

  A “Life Razor” is a clear self-positioning. It helps us make decisions aligned with long-term happiness amid countless small judgments.

  My “Life Razor” is: “I am someone who practices martial arts and enjoys my own personal space.”

  This positioning makes me leave my seat during the 10-minute class break to stretch; it makes me pay more attention to the food itself during meals; it makes me read, run, and practice standing meditation whenever I have time. Although every day brings unexpected issues like stomach discomfort, poor sleep, or arch pain, this core positioning keeps me from forgetting what truly matters without living too rigidly.

In the End, It’s All About Love

As someone with a true “romantic brain,” one line from the book instantly reminded me of the classic dialogue from Before Sunrise.

“Isn’t everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?”

Productivity has improved so much—why not use the time we’ve freed up to love? We always have various obligations that prevent us from thinking about love with 100% focus. But we must remember: what was the original intention behind what we do? What is our center?