Why My Spending Has Shifted from Things to Experiences

A number of years in the past, our household determined to not go all out on Christmas presents, as a substitute specializing in creating experiences and reminiscences collectively. And let me inform you, it’s been unimaginable. I hardly ever bear in mind presents from previous years, however I all the time bear in mind taking a visit, touring collectively, and doing issues as a household. And to prime it off, this time of yr is now not crammed with the added stress of vacation procuring the way in which it was.

What I really like most about this custom is that the philosophy round shopping for has slowly transitioned to my life as nicely, particularly throughout Covid.

While I’ve been spending time at residence, I’ve had loads of time to overanalyze every little thing about my place from my closet, inside adorning, random issues I’ve hung onto, issues I’ve misplaced, all the way in which all the way down to spending hours on design websites looking for a brand new sofa and perceive simply what my aesthetic truly is—issues I might’ve by no means given a lot time or consideration to earlier than.

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Thankfully, a change in surroundings helped put every little thing again into perspective. I’ve been going to Colorado since I used to be younger, and after I’m there I all the time really feel a shift, energetically and bodily. I’m reminded of what’s most essential to me, and it’s not the issues I personal, it’s being outdoor in nature, pushing my physique (which all the time retains me grounded), and having enjoyable. Aside from gear and what it takes to get to the mountains, being outdoor prices nearly nothing.

As my good friend and I have been driving bikes by the mountains one afternoon, I thought of how comfortable I used to be in that second, outdoors, experiencing a brand new option to get pleasure from Aspen, and doing such a easy factor: driving my bike. Thoughts of procuring, spending cash on yet one more black costume I don’t want, and a closet full of garments I barely put on got here speeding by my thoughts. None of these deliver the identical sort of happiness that pushing my physique into the good outdoor does.

Then photos of @Pattiegonia’s Instagram feed got here by my thoughts. If you comply with them, you recognize they’re big advocates and supporters of constructing sustainable selections and never over-consuming. I began to do the mathematics and take into consideration what number of “Aspen trips” I used to be sitting on in my closet.

When I got here again residence, I went by my closet and crammed up three giant ThredUp baggage for donation. I took stock on every little thing I had, noting, other than something tremendous particular or issues that have to be changed over time, I don’t must personal something instantly. But what I do want is extra journey in my life. More time outdoor the place I really really feel the happiest. More time pushing my physique, stepping away from screens and on-line carts, and creating new experiences and reminiscences with buddies (when it’s protected to take action.)

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I additionally began asking myself these questions earlier than shopping for:

1. Do you’ve gotten one thing related already that you could possibly use?
2. Will you be capable to upcycle, recycle, or donate the merchandise after its use?
3. Where else might you employ that cash? (When I ask this, it’s sometimes on bigger purchases and since I’m contemplating residence shopping for/kids, I must weigh up the precedence)
4. Do you truly prefer it or want it, or are you making an attempt to fill a void? (I undoubtedly deal with myself, however I additionally know I’ve bought issues as a result of I felt an absence in different areas, so I examine myself)
5. How would you’re feeling for those who didn’t buy it?
6. Can you discover a related merchandise and assist a small enterprise as a substitute?

As I head into a brand new yr, I’m excited to see how this shift in spending actually morphs into experiencing extra new adventures outdoor, pushing my physique, discovering extra of the world, and extra about myself. I’m working from a spot of feeling in command of the place I need to prioritize not simply my funds, however my vitality on this life.

Do you worth experiences over issues? How has covid modified your perspective and reframed your considering? Share them with us under.