What Does “Having It All” Really Mean?

By Laura Johnstone

When you hear the phrase “having it all,” what comes to mind? For many, it conjures up images of luxurious holidays, designer handbags, perfectly curated homes, and enormous bank balances. But for me, having it all is much simpler. It’s about love, connection, safety, and joy — the kind that money can’t buy.

For me, having it all is walking through the front door of a home filled with laughter. It’s having a cuddle on the sofa, knowing there’s food on the table, and seeing your child dance around the living room in their pyjamas. It’s about being able to breathe easy, knowing that, even in chaos, you are surrounded by love and comfort.

The Happiest People Aren’t the Richest

The happiest people I know are not the wealthiest — they’re the ones who appreciate what they have, instead of measuring their worth by their bank balance. They’re the ones who see joy in the ordinary. And that’s a lesson I hold close to my heart.

If you look back in history, even the wealthiest people couldn’t buy true peace. Take John Jacob Astor IV, one of the richest men aboard the Titanic. When disaster struck, he helped his pregnant wife into a lifeboat — and despite being offered a seat himself, he declined. He went down with the ship. That moment reminds us that money wasn’t everything, even to someone who had it all. At the end of the day, it’s love, values, and courage that define a person — not their possessions.

A New Definition of Success

So many people chase the idea of having “more.” More money, more stuff, more status. But for me, having enough is far more powerful. It means having the people I love close. It means comfort and peace, not pressure and comparison.

Especially as a neurodivergent parent raising a child who is neurodiverse, I’ve learned that success is about resilience, joy in the small things, and connection. Some days, success looks like making it to bedtime. Other days, it looks like a breakthrough moment or a giggle in the middle of a meltdown. These are my diamonds.

Knowing What’s Special Is Having It All

We live in a world that’s constantly pushing us to strive for more. But sometimes, the real gift is pausing and saying: This is enough. This is everything. Because when we know what’s truly special — whether it’s a hug, a hot drink, a shared laugh — we do have it all.

If this blog spoke to you, please like, share, and subscribe to keep following the journey. Let’s keep redefining what matters, together.

References:

Harvard Health Publishing: [The Psychology of Happiness] Office for National Statistics (UK): [What matters most in life: life satisfaction insights] Encyclopaedia Britannica: [John Jacob Astor IV and the Titanic] Mental Health Foundation UK: [Contentment and wellbeing]

What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?