Multiple studies have shown that we not only enjoy
purchases of experiences more than material things, but that this pleasure
starts in the anticipation leading up to the event – way before the actual
experience. It also lingers long after the event is over.
Buying things doesn’t buy happiness for two
main reasons:
1. New things get old quickly; we acclimatize to our surroundings
very easily
due to something called hedonistic adaptation, so we look for the
next novel purchase instead of just enjoying what we already have.
2. Materialistic possessions invite comparisons with our peers which
can cause jealousy when friends or rivals upgrade their belongings, leading to
a desire to “keep up with the Jones”.
While the joy of a new purchase diminishes within days, it turns out
that the happiness of a novel experience can stay with us for the rest of our
lives. In fact, even the act of standing in line to buy a ticket to an event
has been rated as more pleasant than waiting to buy a material good!
Source: best online brokerages
