Living in the moment is something which many people strive to achieve, but it can also be a great challenge in our always active, connected, and internet-driven world. Life is about experiences..

Experiences Engage You in a Moment

But many of the experiences that you can enjoy focus you in the moment and encourage you to engage with the world in a different way. Such as trying new foods as a family, for example. Of course, there are some possessions which can be very engaging. Just think about your smartphone, tablet or another item of technology. But the value that these items provide is often not as great as an incredible experience.

Waiting is Half the Pleasure

We live in a world which is very much centred on instant gratification these days, and there is no doubt that waiting for a material possession can be annoying and frustrating. But when you are waiting for an experience that you have booked, this becomes a form of anticipatory pleasure in itself. For example, if you have a holiday coming up, you can get yourself prepared by looking at pictures, reading travel guides, booking other experiences, watching videos etc. There is no doubt that one of the best moments is when you first arrive in a new destination.

Life Is About Experiences & Experiences Are Often Social

We are very social creatures, and material things often don’t deal a great deal to bring us together and make us feel more connected. On the other hand, experiences tend to be shared with other people. It could be something as simple as a drink or afternoon tea with your friend who you haven’t seen in a long time. Ultimately, when you open yourself to having new experiences, you never know what sort of lasting connection you could end up creating.

Making You a More Complete Person

Life is about experience, so the experiences that you go through end up making you a more complete person in a much greater way than the things that you possess. Much of the time, material goods only portray what you want others to think of you. There is a general assumption amongst some people that because physical objects last for longer, they will make you happier than a one-time experience which could be over in a very short time. But even negative experiences end up building your character in some way, whether this is teaching you something about yourself or something that you could do differently next time.

So, before you are about to make a big purchase in your life, consider closely how much value it is going to add to your life or whether it could be better spent on an experience like a big trip. Of course, this is not to say that you should throw away all your stuff, but it is worth thinking about in more detail. Ultimately, it is all about finding a sense of balance if your life, while also allowing yourself to be willing to embrace everything that the world has to offer.

Main Image – Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-friends-taking-a-group-photo-7149130/