Impressions VS Things. The joy caused by purchases, is fleeting and happy memories will stay with you forever.

When you're working hard every day and after all costs and expenses, you are left with not much money, you want to get them for something really worthwhile. Let's find out what it is necessary to spend the money that they make you happy.

Possession paradox

Twenty years of research conducted by Thomas Gilovich, professor of psychology at Cornell University, has led to an impressive and unequivocal conclusion: do not spend money on things. The joy caused by purchase, quickly. 

Here are three main reasons why this happens: 

The effect is short-lived novelty. We quickly get used to the fact that once seemed to us new and surprising. 

We are always raising the bar. New purchases lead to new expectations. As soon as we get used to new things, we immediately want to buy something else - is newer and better. 

Shopping inevitably lead to comparisons. Should you buy a new car and enjoy it as your buddy will get something better. There is always someone familiar, someone things better than yours. 

"Addictive - the enemy of happiness. We buy new things that they bring joy, and we can do it. But only temporarily. Initially, the purchase arouse our admiration, but then we get used to it", - said Gilovich. 

The possession paradox - we believe, though a sense of joy, caused by new purchase will last for as long as it will survive this thing. Intuitively, it seems that the best way to invest in what we are always able to see and touch. But this is not the case.

The power of impressions

Impressions - albeit fleeting - provide a longer effect of happiness than things. Here's why:

Impressions are part of our identity

Our impression - it is not ourselves, but everything we have seen and done all of the places visited by, stay with us until the end of life. Shopping Apple Watch will not make you a different person, but if you take a break from work in order to conquer the Appalachian Trail from start to finish, it will change you forever.

Our impressions and experiences are more important for us than things. You can really love the things that surround you. You can even take that part of your personality is connected with them, but still, these things exist separately from you. Your feelings, on the other hand, are part of you. Man - is the sum of the experienced moments.

Comparisons do not play a big role

We do not compare our impressions as compare things. In one study conducted at Harvard University, people were asked what they would prefer: high salary, which would be less than that of their colleagues, or lower, which would have been more. Many found it difficult to answer. But when they were asked the same question, not about money, but about the duration of the holiday, the majority chose a long vacation, even if it was shorter than that of his colleagues. It is difficult to compare the relative value of two different sensations, because they bring us more joy.

Impressions are fleeting (and that's good)

Have you ever purchase the thing that was provided is not as beautiful as you expected? Once you make a purchase as here it is looming in front of your eyes, recalling the experiences disappointment. Even if you are not disappointed in your purchase, you can catch syndrome remorse: "Well, funny thing, but probably not worth the money." With impressions is not the case. Exactly what they do not last long, what makes them so valuable to us, and this value over time is only growing.

Summarizing

Impressions make our lives happier than things. There are so many places where we were not.