Original: MINHxDYNASTY
Compiled by: Yuliya, PANews
Why does earning more lead to less happiness? A young entrepreneur who can afford a Ferrari provides the answer. Author MINHxDYNASTY, in the first person, reveals how, after achieving fame and fortune, they instead became a "slave to money," drained by an always-online digital life. PANews has compiled this monologue; below is the original text:
This article isn't about money; it's about the price I paid for it.
At the end of the year, I possessed unprecedented wealth but also fell into unprecedented unhappiness.
Objectively, this year was a success. Our media production company grew fourfold, we paid off all bad debts, made some smart investments, and even bought a Ferrari I never thought I'd own. So why am I still not happy?
During the holidays, I finally had the chance to quiet down and think for myself. I've read stories online about people who "made it" but still felt empty inside. I thought I would be the exception, but it turns out it's my turn now.
The reason is actually simple: I gradually lost my true self on the path of entrepreneurship and chasing wealth, becoming obsessed with leaderboards and scores, ultimately transforming from a player who loved the craft into a slave to money.
The internet changed my life in ways I couldn't have imagined. In 2020, it pulled me out of a state of having nothing, gave me a gaming platform, and later I moved into cryptocurrency and Twitter, and things got better year by year.
Life is like a video game. But at some point, I stopped caring about the quests themselves and became addicted to the ever-increasing coin count. This way of playing is utterly boring.
I became addicted to the dopamine hit from opening social media and instant messaging apps because I had been conditioned to sniff out opportunities with every refresh. I was hooked on the "ring" of waiting for business to come in, my eyes constantly fixed on the door, while neglecting to hone the core skills that truly attract customers.
Put simply, I let myself live in a state of 24/7, endless anxiety: always looking for ways to grow the business, always searching for more opportunities, never stopping. If this state is allowed to continue, life truly becomes a living hell.
Starting today, I will go all out, especially in 2026, to reclaim a life of consciousness and purpose.
My methods are as follows:
Create > Consume
While writing these words, I haven't opened my favorite social apps yet. This is a huge change, and I can feel the difference. At some point, I became a command-following drone, constantly consuming information but rarely creating.
Therefore, before entering my designated "information window" each day to catch up on current events, I will first set aside an hour and a half for creation. During this time, it's just me, a pen, a camera, or a blank canvas, aiming to create without any distractions or loss of focus.
It's only been 22 minutes and 45 seconds, and I've already accomplished a lot. Once focused, what they can achieve is beyond imagination. Try it; you'll be amazed.
Identity Switching
I have many identities: creator, operator, husband, friend, son. Like you, I play many roles. For a long time, I saw this as freedom, but in reality, it led to a fragmented life.
This year, I spent my days constantly switching between writing scripts, filming, watching charts, trading, replying to DMs, tweeting, having team meetings... I often jumped from one task to another within 15 minutes, even checking one thing and then, for another quick hit, refreshing before returning to what truly mattered.
The result: busyness, lack of focus, and producing nothing substantial.
Now, I'm learning to schedule things in two-hour blocks, playing only one role at a time. As for browsing social media, I only do it during two fixed periods on weekdays. The smartest people I know rarely use their phones; some don't even have one. Focus is key.
Actively Log Off
A few weeks ago, I pulled my calf muscle while exercising. The moment it happened, I switched to the other leg and immediately got angry at myself. Actually, during the warm-up, I knew my body was exhausted from daily workouts without rest; my legs felt heavy and weak.
I thought then, "I shouldn't exercise today." So when my calf went "pop," I knew it. Our brains are the same; they are incredibly powerful, but because of that, their fatigue is invisible, hard to detect. If we never "log off" from the internet, from this digitally connected world, the brain never gets real rest and recharge.
Therefore, I've set a new rule: log off completely after 7 PM every night. To do this, I need to believe two things:
"Believe in the effort I put in each day."
"Believe in my future ability."
I never want to be broke again; the fear of failure drives me forward. But I also understand that everything has limits, and balance must be sought. Life is inherently a push and pull.
People are always learning, progressing, failing, sometimes living the life they want, sometimes not. If we don't like something, we make changes, and that's exactly what he is doing.
We live in this beautiful, chaotic online world. Like it or not, it's deeply connected to us. Those who can read these words are probably like him, keen on improving their lives, which often means accumulating more "coins." However, on the path to growing that number, remember not to neglect other equally important things along the way.
The internet and social media have always been part of my life. When I was studying those "nonsensical" theories in university, it was the internet that taught me real skills. It also brought friendships, opportunities, career development, and even became the core of my personal value creation.
But in this original "deal," I didn't agree to trade my entire identity.
This is a problem I'm still working on solving, and it will likely take a lifetime to face.
Because you ultimately have to ask yourself: What is all this for?
