Money can buy happiness, but only to a point. Once you purchase your must-have item, you adapt to it and the positive feelings fade. Instead of purchasing a physical item, an experience gives you a more sustained state of happiness. Spend your money on things like recreational activities, travel, exploration of nature and cultural enrichment. Here are the benefits of valuing experiences above all else:
The Benefits
Matthew Killingsworth, a Harvard-trained psychologist, has found in his research that the satisfaction of owning something comes as anticipation or nostalgic longing. However, a content mind comes from moment-to-moment experiences that can either be excitedly anticipated or fondly remembered. Killingsworth found that anticipation is the conduit of happiness, and before and after you spend your money on an experience, there is a beneficial and positive effect on your brain. These purchases include travel, concerts, movies, outdoor activities, sports and attending events. Conversely, the anticipation for a possession brings about anxiety and impatience.
Think about what creates your identity. Are your character and personality built on the fact that you have a new car, new technology or an impeccably designed house? Your identity is more so formed from the actions you take and the experiences that have made you who you are.
Even though your new car is a tangible thing that brings you pride, it will later go out of style and isn’t representative of yourself. It loses its financial and personal value, and it becomes obsolete. However, a travel experience abroad won’t go out of style. Your exposure to culture and the challenge of navigating new things provides you with a deeper appreciation for life and everlasting pride in yourself.
Real Life Stories
Courtney Carver, author of the Be More With Less blog, writes about her experiences, not her physical possessions. She references her minimalist lifestyle and how it goes with her traveling mindset. The items she keeps with her support her travels and don’t require too much thought or worry. Courtney explains that during her travels she “makes due with what will fit in [her] pockets, so [she] can truly embrace each city.”
Franca Calabretta, another travel blogger, writes about her tendency to collect objects and how she had to minimize what she owned. After discarding her physical valuables, she felt free to experience more. Her objects no longer own her and she is more likely to spend her money on a fantastic meal than designer clothing. She writes, “Having less has given me more happiness than I could have ever dreamed. It enabled me to focus more on my dreams and making them come true, like my current life or perpetual travels.”
Also Read: How to Travel the World For Free
Items for the Experience
Instead of purchasing items you only desire, invest in things that will help you enjoy your experiences. For example, you need clothes that fit the activities you partake in, such as athletic equipment, a sturdy pair of shoes and rain jackets or winter coats. You also need some tools to assist in your travels and exploration. A smartphone like the Galaxy S7 is a multifaceted tool that provides you with the means of communication, navigation and apps that help in a variety of situations.
Just make sure the items you do own, don’t own you. Keep it simple and be mindful of your purchases.
