I’ve been reading articles lately about how buying material goods doesn’t bring happiness — one should invest in experiences instead. We get bored with our possessions and they wear out, but our memories last forever.
Hmm. That implies all memories are good. I’m with Cathy on this one, it depends. For instance a fellow was boiled alive recently at Yellowstone National Park. He and his sister had stepped off the boardwalk to get a closer look at the brilliant colors of the steaming pools when he slipped and fell into one. The sister immediately called for help, but it was too late.
With adventures, like shopping, it pays to be sensible.
That said, this article in Psychology Today explains why some shopping can make us happy: Why “Retail Therapy” Works.
Andy and I buy a lot of things, but mostly books, magazines, and items for our projects. For us it’s not shopping vs experiences, they’re tied together. What about you?
I have never seen shopping as “therapy”. I used to buy what was needed to keep the household’s wheels well oiled. Oh my god, did those wheels run well. And yes, it does give pleasure when you don’t have to count and turn every penny when purchasing a light bulb. Still, there is delight in small pleasures at the flick of a switch: Let there be light. The art is to appreciate it.
The “experiences vs shopping” debate I see ignited when people feel they have to buy a present for an older and well off person who essentially does have everything and what he doesn’t have he could buy if he wanted. So what do you do? You don’t buy them “stuff”, you buy them an experience. Be it a loop in a star fighter or a bottle of the most unlikely (and hopefully not corked) vintage. Or, in my case cash strapped, I’ll cook up a storm of a picnic. Enjoyed, easily digested, and all that remains for the recipient is – I hope – a pleasant memory. No need to be dusted years down the line.
U
I get a charge out of solving a problem that has been bothering me. Sometimes that involves buying something, sometimes not.
My retail therapy was buying books. For the past four months, I have deliberately not bought any and also culled my library by 75%. Till I read all the books still pending to be read, I will not be buying any books. I am quite peaceful without having to buy things.
There are all sorts of ways to be happy.
I’ve written heaps in this box….but as I have looked back through it – realised that really “happiness doesn’t come in a retailers carrier bag or box” it actually comes from the heart of giver – whether is was just going for a walk, have U’s picnic or phoning someone to say “hi”
I think the idea of buying experiences rather than things is a clever way of getting more money from us. Going on a cruise or having a white wedding, say, will cost a lot more than buying a T shirt or a teapot. In any case, we all have plenty of free experiences already – like going out in the snow or watching the sunset – and we probably don’t need to buy experiences anyway.