In today’s fast-paced world, it’s hard to feel like you’re not in constant competition with those around you. Whether that’s friends, neighbors, or coworkers, everyone tries to have the newest and shiniest gadget, clothing item, or car, and it can be easy to feel like you’re getting left behind. Believe it or not, experiences can be far more valuable than something you could purchase in a store. Read on to learn more about how incredible adventures can change your life far more than that fancy thing you’ve been coveting.
1. Quality Family Time
Many families, especially young kids, greatly benefit from traveling widely and offering as many great experiences as possible for everyone. Even if your kids are younger, they can soak up the sights and sounds, and they will carry the family-filled memories with them their whole lives. Additionally, sometimes a change of environment can be beneficial for a family; it’s harder to argue or get on each other’s nerves when you’re surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery or ocean views. Packing the days with events like theme park visits with thrilling roller coaster rides, educational museum excursions, and exhilarating hikes on stunning trails creates an abundance of memories that are more priceless than anything you can buy in a store.
2. Seeing New Places Around the World
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of seeing Paris in the springtime, scuba diving in Costa Rica, or touring historical sites in England. Reading about these amazing sights is nowhere near the same as actually seeing them in person! You can meet people from all different countries, speak to them about their experiences, soak up the culture, and maybe even make new friends. You’ll love trying new foods at incredible gourmet restaurants in different countries or browsing farmers’ markets in new destinations. Nothing feels as good as achieving a bucket list goal, and traveling to a new destination will allow you to gain more wisdom and knowledge for your next big trip!
3. Less Competition
It seems like almost every other month, some new technology is being released. Whether it’s a new car model or an updated iPhone with new features, it can be hard to turn down the latest and greatest—especially when it seems like everyone in the world is upgrading to the latest tech! When it comes to experiences, however, you won’t face the same type of competition and pressure.
Anyone can make the most of an experience. From an international vacation to a fun trip across town, if you’re determined to have a great time with people you love, that will make all the difference! While you’re hitting the snowy slopes or hopping aboard a thrill ride, you won’t be thinking about the new technology that’s going on sale that day; you’ll just be thinking about how much fun you’re having. Plus, swapping stories with friends when you return home from your journey will feel much better and more enriching than comparing who has the newest electronics.
4. Better Yourself
Exploring the world and having new experiences can help make you a better person! No, it won’t change anything overnight, but we all change and grow as we go through new things. Witnessing different cultures, meeting brand new people, or even just waking up to interesting scenery will contribute to changing your state of mind.
You can learn a lot from new experiences, but that isn’t necessarily the case when you buy a fancy phone or watch. Whether you’re across the world or simply in a different part of your state, experiencing new and different things can help you become a more empathetic person. You’ll see how other people live their lives and apply that knowledge to your own. This is another reason why it’s so great to travel and have new experiences when your children are young. A globally-minded perspective on life that money can’t buy.
5. Heal More Fully
If you’re going through a hard time, buying a cool new gadget may provide a brief respite for a couple of days, but that gadget will be nowhere near as fulfilling and rejuvenating as a trip can be. Get out and explore your hometown: visit museums, try delicious new restaurants, browse that new boutique that just opened up, or catch a concert by a band you’ve never heard of. All these experiences can change up your daily routine and boost your mood!
While it might feel great to get some retail therapy when you’re feeling down, nothing helps you heal from a stressful life event or a sad time than traveling, especially if you’re able to go with family or friends. Get away from it all by sailing off on a Caribbean cruise, skiing the stunning Aspen mountains, or strolling the streets of a European city that you’ve always wanted to see. Nothing can fix your problems overnight, but getting away from the mundane daily grind and seeing new sights can give you a tremendous boost. You may gain wisdom and perspective on your adventure that enables you to better face your problems when you return home.
6. Anticipation Pays Off
Studies have shown that anticipating the purchase of an item, whether that’s the new phone that’s about to be released or a new summer wardrobe from your favorite store, can actually make us impatient. We’re constantly anxious for the day that we can finally pay a chunk of cash to upgrade to the newer technology, clothes, car, etc. Often, it’s easy to feel like you want to bypass the waiting and just have the thing already.
Conversely, the same studies show that anticipating an experience creates excitement and enjoyment. Sure, you’re still waiting for a specific date when the trip will start, but the anticipation takes a different form. Instead of waiting to obtain an object, you’re waiting to embark on an adventure. Everything from a plane ride to a road trip takes careful planning, and there will be much to anticipate for even the most mundane of tasks. For example, planning and preparing for snacks on your travels, learning where your layovers or the best pit stops will be, or thinking about what playlist you’ll listen to all can lead to an excited anticipation.
When you consider the actual trip, it’s no wonder why this type of anticipation can create lots of excitement and happy feelings. Maybe you’re heading home to visit beloved family members you haven’t seen in a while, or perhaps you’re returning to a favorite vacation destination of which you have fond memories. If you’re heading somewhere new, it’s easy to get lost in guidebooks and on websites, reading all about the best sights to see and the most incredible restaurants to enjoy. While the planning process can be stressful for some people, it can generate a great deal of excitement that purchasing a material object simply cannot produce.
7. Live in the Moment
When you buy a new car or an exciting model of technology, you’ll likely be seeing a lot of that item. Ideally, the car will be sitting in your garage for years to come, getting you to point A from point B and vice versa. The new phone will be in your pocket for as long as you choose, enabling you to take calls and answer emails. These purchases are in your life for so long that after a while, it’s hard to truly appreciate them. Since you see them every day, you begin to take them for granted.
This isn’t the case with experiences. For example, if you plan a family-friendly beach vacation, you budget your time, knowing that it’ll only last a week. That week is spent soaking up the sun from sandy beaches, watching the kids play in the water, and enjoying fantastic seafood restaurants. Because your time is limited, you’ll be able to enjoy the entire experience much more. It’s hard to value something you can ostensibly have forever, so that’s what makes vacations and trips so memorable. They’re not permanent—you can truly live in the moment and be grateful for the fantastic experience.
8. Memories Remain Forever
Technology is ephemeral, constantly changing. It seems like every year, there’s a new iPhone, a new model of the car you’re driving right now, or a new development of luxury homes being constructed in a neighborhood that seems just a little nicer than yours. It can be tough to keep up with these changes, and once you do make a change, you don’t usually look back. Instead, technology causes you to constantly move forward in pursuit of the next best thing.
When you travel and have unique new experiences, you’re creating priceless memories that will last a lifetime. Think about those childhood memories you still discuss with siblings or friends! This is your chance to make those memories with your family rather than ruminating over which new car you should buy. A trip with family or friends can strengthen bonds, or even repair them, and provide you with fodder to discuss for years to come.
Be sure to take plenty of photos as amazing keepsakes to remind you of the incredible things you did on your adventure. At the end of your life, you may not necessarily remember all the cars you drove or all the electronics you owned, but you’ll undoubtedly remember the once-in-a-lifetime experiences you shared with the people you love.
Interested in Houston luxury homes as you begin a new experience? As some of the most well-respected and sought-after real estate agents in Texas real estate, the Amy Chance Real Estate Team will be happy to assist you. As you navigate the luxury Houston real estate market, Amy Chance will help you find the incredible home of your dreams.