Everyone dreams about winning the lottery. We imagine how a huge pile of money would completely change our lives. Suddenly, we’d have time to do all the things we’ve been putting off. We’d travel, learn, read, relax, explore passions. We picture this idyllic version of ourselves – more fulfilled, more focused, and, of course, finally the best version of who we could be.
Because obviously, the only thing standing in the way is money… right?
I love daydreaming about it too – where I’d go first, what I’d buy, who I’d treat. Do I play regularly? Not really. But every now and then, especially when there’s a big rollover, I catch myself drifting into the fantasy.
What I find funny is how humble we all imagine we’d be. We’d still be grounded, still make the “right” decisions. Maybe that’s true. Maybe you’re the exception. But here’s the truth: we won’t really know who we’d be with millions until it happens.
In the meantime, though, I want to offer a different perspective: you can start living that dream version of yourself right now. Without winning the lottery.
Who You Are Is Who You Are – Money Won’t Magically Change That
If you come home from work and watch Netflix every night, odds are… you’ll still do that even if you’re rich. If you dream of being someone who reads, you can start being that person now. Maybe you haven’t found the right book yet. But when you do, I promise it can be more engaging than the best TV series.
And sure, more challenging books require focus. But instead of defaulting to TikTok, try this: set a timer for 20-30 minutes, or give yourself a 20-page goal. Just start. Over time, you’ll be richer in knowledge – and closer to the person you imagine being.
What Would Your “Rich Self” Do? And Why Not Try That Now?
If I could pick one luxurious thing I’d splurge on, it would be a private chef. No question. Can you imagine the confidence and joy of having healthy, delicious meals cooked just for you every day?
But here’s the thing—if I had a chef, I wouldn’t want them to serve me crisps and chocolate 24/7. I’d want balanced, feel-good food that actually fuels me. So why do I feed myself junk now?
Maybe it could be a fun journey—to learn how to make meals that are both healthy and amazing. I know what I like to eat. I could experiment with one breakfast, one dinner, and one sweet treat a week. It’s not about perfection. It’s about trying.
This applies to everything.
If you dream of having a cleaner, learn how to keep your space manageable so it never becomes a stressful disaster. If you want to travel, book a trip ten months from now and start saving bit by bit. Some travel agencies even let you pay in flexible installments.
Travel isn’t reserved for the wealthy anymore. With a plan, you can make it happen.
The Work Myth: Retirement Isn’t the Dream You Think It Is
I used to fantasize about early retirement—buying a house in Italy by 40 and doing nothing for the rest of my life. Sounds nice, right?
But then I really thought about it: nothing? That’s not a dream—that’s boredom. I realized I love learning, growing, progressing, sharing ideas. I want to be challenged. Work stopped feeling like a chore and started to feel like an opportunity.
Now, I don’t just go to work to make money. I go to challenge myself, to gain new skills, to sharpen my mind. And if you truly hate your job? Who says you can’t change direction? You don’t have to make a massive leap. Start small. Try things out.
That dream career in your head? You might not even like it – you’ve never actually done it! You’re judging the fantasy, not the reality.
Live the Dream Life Before You “Deserve” It
So next time you find yourself dreaming about winning the lottery, ask instead: What small changes can I make today to live a little closer to that dream life?
It’s probably closer than you think.
Stop fooling yourself with fantasy. Start implementing change – step by step. And who knows? By the time you do win the lottery, you might already be living a version of the life you no longer want to escape from.
love
the snob
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