Caleigh DeCaprio of NY Country Swag called the song a "reminder to be happy with all that you do have and to not worry about what you don’t".

[6] Isabella Mitchell of Raised Rowdy referred to the track as a "catchy, upbeat and positive song that you can’t help but dance to".

[10] "Make a Life, Not a Living" debuted as the most downloaded song on all-formats on Canadian radio for the week ending on March 5, 2021, ahead of Maroon 5's "Beautiful Mistakes" and Justin Bieber's "Hold On".

[19] In July 2021, "Make a Life, Not a Living" became Kissel's fourth Number One on the Canada Country chart.

[21] The official music video for "Make a Life, Not a Living" was directed by Megan Jackson and premiered on March 19, 2021.