{"id":8986,"date":"2023-03-21T14:38:35","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T06:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/?p=8986"},"modified":"2025-01-27T22:24:23","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T14:24:23","slug":"experiences-make-us-happier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/experiences-make-us-happier\/","title":{"rendered":"Experiences make us happier than possessions\u2014here\u2019s why"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, \u201cDo experiences make us happier than possessions?<\/em>\u201d As it turns out, science says they do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact of the matter is, material things might bring us momentary gratification. However, when it comes to the pursuit of happiness, it seems that experiences have the one-up and help keep us feeling truly alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why Mindvalley events, like A-Fest, Mindvalley University, and Mindvalley Live (held in various beautiful locations around the world), are so special. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re not like any typical conference, according to Laura Viilep<\/strong>, head of global events at Mindvalley and one of Eventex<\/a>\u2019s 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry in 2022. Rather, they\u2019re a gathering of those who share the same or similar passions and goals, creating a sense of community and belonging that can\u2019t be found elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let\u2019s explore why experiences are the key to lasting happiness and discover how Mindvalley events can help you unlock that happiness through meaningful, shared experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Laura
Laura Viilep, head of global events at Mindvalley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What science says about experiences and happiness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever heard the song \u201cCan\u2019t Buy Me Love\u201d by The Beatles, you\u2019ll know they got it right\u2014experiences make us way happier than possessions do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about it: Do you remember more of the things you did, like going on a beach vacation in Sardinia with your family? Or do you remember the things you had, such as that I Heart Sardinia<\/em> t-shirt you just \u201chad to have\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“When we engage in new experiences, we challenge ourselves, learn new things,  connect with other people, and gain a sense of accomplishment and self-improvement,<\/em>” says Olla Abbas<\/strong>, head of Mindvalley Middle East\/North Africa. “This can also lead to feelings of happiness and fulfillment.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what does science have to say about all this? Do objects or experiences make us happier? Here are some research findings that make the case:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Daily real-world experiences can make us happy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A 2020 study<\/a> published in Nature Neuroscience<\/em> discovered a link between our daily environments and our sense of well-being. That means we tend to be happier when there\u2019s a variety of things to do in our daily routine<\/a>, like going to new coffee shops, taking walks on different routes, or working with friends at a caf\u00e9 instead of in the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Money can buy happiness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to popular belief, money can<\/em> buy happiness\u2014when you spend it on experiences, not things. That\u2019s what one study<\/a> conducted by Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University, concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can really like your material stuff; you can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless, they remain separate from you<\/em>,\u201d he explains in an article<\/a> in Forbes<\/em>. \u201cIn contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Buying happiness is both simple and complex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A study<\/a> by Ryan Howell, an assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, found that when it came to experiences, people felt a greater sense of vitality\u2014they felt \u201calive.\u201d However, it really depends on what the experience is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you\u2019re into basketball, you may enjoy floor seat tickets to an NBA game. Your family or friends, on the other hand, may not be basketball fans, so it wouldn\u2019t be a happy experience for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a 2015 TEDx Talk<\/a>, Ryan suggests asking yourself three important \u201cWill I\u2026?<\/em>\u201d questions every time you want to spend money: Will I\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n