Invest In Experiences
How often do you spend money on things that are not necessary to your happiness? What do you need? Is it really worthwhile, or do you need up with buyer’s regret? Most of the items we purchase end up losing their happiness value almost immediately after you purchase it. However, there is something that is priceless and remains that way until the day you leave this world: experience.
Regardless of income level, going on an adventure of some kind is a much better investment in happiness than purchasing material things. Now, how do you pay for experience? This can be done by going on trip to an unknown part of the world, for instance. The experience you gain from doing something beyond your comfort zone, such as making memories, meeting new people, learning new life skills, delving into a new culture or language, not only boosts your happiness right as happens, but can become a way to bond with others. As you rehash the memories with your friends in the future, you return to that moment and get another jolt of joy.
You will never get used to the experience in the same way that you get used to stuff. Experience doesn’t clutter your house and collect dust. Experience is forever new, forever rewarding, and forever something that connects you with people.
On that note, the other kind of experience you should be investing time in would be relationships. You will notice that your thoughts are often affected by the people you choose to affiliate with. If you are constantly hanging out with negative people who complain about their lives, that pessimism will rub off on you. Toxic relationships have no benefit to you and your happiness. Rather than letting negativity consume your relationships, you should find friends and family who celebrate your successes and your endeavors.
Just like learning how to be happy isn’t always easy, building new relationships as we get older isn’t easy either. Find people who enjoy the same hobbies as you do, so you can work on your strengths together while overcoming weaknesses. Communicate with them. Show them that you support them. This will come back to you tenfold.
