Why Investing In Experiences Makes Us Happier

In today’s Marie Kondo era, we are being encouraged to surround ourselves with items that spark joy. The Minimalists made us question what things add value to our lives and items that don’t have significance are no longer welcome in our homes. We are beginning to making purchasing decisions based on emotion, rather than material gain. The values we place on an item is much more than the price tag.

The value we place on our happiness is often based on how much we can afford to spend on things and we are constantly thinking about the next ‘must-have’ item. We forget that investing in ourselves is just as important and spending money on the things we are passionate about is much more rewarding in the long run.

Recent studies have shown that the influence of material goods have on our overall happiness is short-term. When you buy a big-ticket item such as a new car, the latest iPhone or go on an online shopping spree you feel happy and maybe even a sense of satisfaction. However, the novelty soon wears off and the excitement you first felt as you unboxed your ASOS order or charged your new iPhone is quick to subside.

A material purchase may give you a physical item to remember but it doesn’t create a lasting memory. Experiences create memories, and with social media giving us a platform to share our experiences we go out of our way to ensure they are special. This new experience economy is a result of people placing value on creating memories, a sense of community and of course the fear of missing out.

The trend is also extending to the art of gift-giving as more and more people are choosing to invest in experiences as a gifts rather than an item that may be returned in the new year. With Christmas approaching why not think outside the box and choose an experience gift that will create life long memories such as sky diving at Skydive Dubai, a personalised foodie tour, a private photoshoot with friends or family, a desert safari or glamping in the desert.

We can largely thank the millennials among us for their appetite for unforgettable, ‘instagrammable’ moments. They are reigniting the sense of nostalgia that comes with spending an afternoon at an escape room or on the set of their own photoshoot. This time spent with friends or family is not only documented on their social media, but they are also left with a memorable moment and a story to share. Having a happy memory in your emotional armoury can bring a sense of fulfilment, contentment and boost our self-esteem. Looking back on times in our lives we were happy can instantly lift our mood, reminding us that we control our own happiness.

As we live more and more of our lives bound by technology it is important to connect in person with friends and family, choose investment in experiences over possessions, create memories and spark joy.

If you are considering investing in yourself or a family member over the festive season, get in touch with our team to learn more about our studio gift vouchers – a themed family photoshoot could be the perfect experience to kick off your New Year.