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The Atlantic’s Buy Experiences, Not Things

Every week, I scour the internet for compelling reasons to Make a Memory. For experts with PhD's. For personalities with gaggles of followers. For reasoned research. All in the name of convincing readers to Make a Memory RIGHT NOW. Usually, I select a video. Something visual with a quick punch.

Every week, I scour the internet for compelling reasons to Make a Memory. For experts with PhD’s. For personalities with gaggles of followers. For reasoned research.

All in the name of convincing readers to
Make a Memory RIGHT NOW.

Usually, I select a video. Something visual with a quick punch.

But today, I bring you an article from last October’s The Atlantic. James Hamblin’s “Buy Experiences, Not Things” made me stand up and cheer.

His story touts the science behind living in the moment. It cites more than a decade of research that indicates people are happier with experiences over possessions.

buy experiences not things

Awaiting an experience is positive anticipation.

Experiential line-waiters are more patient. People who buy experiences are more generous. Groups connect through buying an experience over a thing. And consumers of experiences don’t compare their adventures to those of their peers, making them less envious of others.

Hamblin’s article is packed with experts who will validate your next vacation. Your dream destination. Your quiet afternoon on the back porch, sipping a beverage and watching the sunset.

Read the full article HERE.

Photo credit: The Atlantic

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8 Comments

  1. Reminds me of people waiting to go on a trip overseas – like to Paris or other romantic places.

    Or even waiting around in your hometown for the South Eastern Wildlife Exposition so you can watch dock dogs dive and birds of prey soar and puppies snuffle and artists create.

    Experiences are great. The building blocks of memories.

  2. Sometimes, buying things and buying experiences come together. What comes immediately to my mind are guitars and motorcycles. The most important aspect of both things are the experiences you’ll have with them.

  3. I TOTALLY agree with this…totally.

  4. Jim, my husband Bill used to have “guitaritis” buying lots of guitars. And apparently before I knew him, he had lots of motorcycles too.

    I’ve always favored experience over things. Reliving experiences as memory is the single way to save something and savor it. Photos, mementos and trinkets are great, but they only tell part of the tale.

    1. The experience on motorcycles is obvious. It is my favorite way to travel. Guitars…I don’t have guitaritis. I have five and I play them all. The joy I get from each defines my life. Those guitars have taken me more places that my history of motorcycles.

  5. Memories – Love the whole picture thing. Also blogging it is great for memories. Just living my life.

  6. I absolutely agree that an experience outlasts and outperforms a possession every time. Shoes will come and go, but wonderful memories put a smile on our faces forever.

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