A new study from Cornell University showed: the joy from things fades, while the emotions from events stay with us for a long time.
Psychologist Thomas Gilovich and his colleagues found that dance classes, travel, or concerts bring more happiness than material purchases. The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, reports Frankfurter Rundschau.
Why Experiences Are More Important Than Purchases
Participants in the experiment were asked to share their recent expenditures and the emotions associated with them. It turned out that memories of experienced events evoked warmth and joy even after some time, while material possessions quickly lost their emotional value.
Moreover, when people described their lives, they more often recalled events rather than purchases — what shapes personality and influences the sense of meaning.
"The joy of purchases is short-lived — we compare things with others' and start wanting new ones. However, memories only become more beautiful over time," noted Gilovich.
Conclusion
Psychologists are convinced: if you want to be happier — invest not in things, but in experiences. They make us alive, connect us with other people, and turn into invaluable stories that cannot be lost.
