What Does ‘Enough’ Look Like in a Loud, Expensive World?

Redefining success, money, and meaning for the quietly ambitious.

Last week, I received a question from a reader asking my thoughts on navigating quiet success while earning money in today’s world - and I thought it warranted a full post, because I have a lot to say on this topic!

Here’s the truth: it’s not easy to go up against the social norms around money, status, and success that we’re bombarded with on a daily basis. We live in a capitalist world, and the reality is - we need money to survive in it.

Yet so much of the way we’re taught to live is completely out of alignment for those of us who are highly sensitive, intuitive, or simply exhausted from trying to keep up.

The cost of chasing conventional success is high.

We burn out.
We numb out.
We start to disappear from our own lives - because in this world, keeping up often means going against our true nature.

In a culture that teaches us success should look like five-figure months, glamorous holidays at luxury resorts, endless dinners at the hottest restaurants, an enviable wardrobe, upgraded homes, a wrinkle-free face - and a carefully curated feed to prove it all happened - it becomes a rebellious act to intentionally opt out of these ideals.

Eventually, we arrive at an inevitable crossroads - the moment we realise life simply isn’t working anymore.

And the question shifts from “How can I make this work?”
to “What do I actually need to thrive?”

These days, I don’t live an Instagrammable life. And yet, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.

To some, my life might appear boring. But to me, inner peace, joy, and wellbeing are my true measures of success.

The truth is, actively making aligned choices about how you spend your time, energy, and money is the beginning of quiet success - and the first step in designing a life that’s truly yours.

And while I don’t have it all figured out, and my journey is still evolving, I know I’m making progress toward a life that is both sustainable and deeply fulfilling.

So today, I want to share how I approach money and enoughness - and what it really means to thrive quietly in a loud, expensive world.

Define What Matters Most

Quiet success begins with getting radically honest about what you value.

Not what the world says you should value.
Not what your friends or family expect.
Not what gets the most applause.

But the things that actually make your life feel good to live.

For me, that’s peace. Spaciousness. Reading my book in the morning, with sunshine beaming on my face. Time to write. Long walks with Rosie. Yoga. Being creative. Spending time at home and making it a beautiful place to be. Slow mornings. Work that feels meaningful. Friendships that feel nourishing.

When you name what matters most, it becomes easier to let go of everything else.
You stop trying to afford someone else’s life - and start building your own.

Know Your ‘Enough’ Number

We live in a world that constantly tells us to want more.
More income. More reach. More proof.

But more will never feel like enough if you don’t know what enough actually is.

Your ‘enough number’ is the amount of money you need to feel secure and resourced - not to keep up, but to feel grounded and alive.

Knowing this number changes everything.

It quiets the pressure to “scale to six figures.”
It softens the inner critic.
It gives you the freedom to choose work that supports your energy - not just your ego.

Once you know your enough number, you can design your income around it.

Which leads to the next step…

Align Income With Energy

This part takes honesty, experimentation, and a good deal of unlearning.

You don’t have to make all your money from one job, or one offer, or one identity.

I’m a big believer in designing a portfolio-style career - where you intentionally piece together different streams of income: a part-time role, a creative project, a service you offer, a Substack that slowly grows.

What matters is that your work doesn’t deplete you.
That it fits the way you function.
That it leaves you with enough energy left over to live your actual life.

Over the past few years, I’ve experimented a lot with this approach. I’ve failed countless times. Some things didn’t turn out the way I expected.

But one thing has remained true: I’ve stayed committed to doing what feels energetically aligned - and I’ve walked away from everything that doesn’t.

Slowly, things have started to take shape.
I’m designing a career that feels like home - not one that demands I constantly prove my worth.

And while this path hasn’t been easy, I know it will grow into something profoundly more sustainable over time.

Make Peace With Trade-Offs

Here’s the part no one likes to talk about:
Quiet success requires sacrifice.

Not punishment - but prioritisation.

If I want time to write, I can’t fill my week with social plans.
If I want to build a business gently, I won’t have the same cash flow as someone hustling 24/7.

If I want peace, I need to say no to things that create chaos - even if they’re fun, shiny, or socially expected.

So no, I don’t go out to dinner every week.
I meet friends for walks and coffee dates instead of expensive meals.
I don’t buy new clothes unless I need them - and when I do, I invest in timeless, high-quality pieces that last. I wear the same outfits on rotation and feel good in them.

I cook at home.
I wander through beautiful parks.
I read beneath the trees, marvel at exquisite sunsets, and take great delight in being by the ocean.

And I’m okay with all of this - because it’s in service of a higher goal:
not being trapped in a job that is completely misaligned and makes me utterly miserable.

Quiet Success Is Still Success

It might not look impressive on the outside.
But inside, it feels like home.

Quiet success isn’t about resignation - it’s about intention.
It’s not about shrinking - it’s about choosing.

You don’t have to live loudly to live meaningfully.
You just have to live in alignment with what matters most to you.

What does your version of quiet success look like for you?
What are you ready to let go of - in order to have more of what really matters?

Quietly thriving alongside you,
Rachel

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P.S. If you’re building a gentler life too, I’d love to hear from you - what are you choosing instead of hustle?

In service to my quiet path - and in honour of my energy - I’ll now be posting here every second week instead of weekly.

Thank you for being here with me, on this slower, deeper journey.

And if you’re on the path to redefining how you work and earn, you might love my upcoming self-paced audio course The Quiet Path. More on that soon.