All month we work hard to get the long-awaited reward in the form of cash, which can be disposed of depending on our own needs. Most people are accustomed to spending the money they earn on beautiful things and fancy gadgets, content with a fleeting feeling of joy and contentment. But does shopping make us really happy, or is it sometimes worth giving up another blouse and saving money for something worthwhile - for example, spending this money on an exciting trip to a picturesque place that will be remembered for a lifetime.
The happiest people are travelers
The happiest people have managed to get rid of dependence on purchases and protect themselves from unnecessary expenses. They prefer to waste money on travel and adventures, because sooner or later the thing will be demolished, the newest smartphone model will become obsolete, and warm memories are what remain with a person forever, thanks to them everyone can say with confidence that life has not been lived in vain.
Think about it for a moment: when your life is coming to an end, will you remember that you once bought an iPhone 6 Plus as soon as it went on sale? Rather, memories of moments spent in beautiful places, surrounded by close and dear people will warm the soul more.
According to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who spent money on expensive items while neglecting travel often reduced the value of that item immediately after purchasing it.
Shopping makes us happier. But not for long
According to researchers at the University of San Francisco, people experience life through the memories we create, but trends have gotten the better of us so much that many make purchases that they later regret.
Before the participants of the experiment were made purchases, they agreed that travel is a much more valuable acquisition than any valuable thing, even if very desirable. After the subjects acquired the things they had been dreaming about for a long time, they nevertheless admitted that they would be better off spending their money on travel, because this is how it is possible to increase the level of happiness for a longer period of time.
Cornell University did a study on shopping addiction. It turned out that modern people tend to shop under the influence of society, because of which gold chains and diamond watches become attractive and fashionable.
Modern man differs from his ancestors in that he is surrounded by the world of social media and buys mainly goods imposed by advertising flaunting on every post.
According to professor of psychology at Cornell University, Dr. Thomas Gilovich, buying certain things, people are trying to make themselves happier and they certainly succeed. But not for long. Immediately after the purchase, the acquired things captivate their owner, but over time a person gets used to them, and they do not bring him much joy there as before. Gilovich emphasizes that you should not completely give up shopping and looking for the perfect dress or that very pair of shoes, it is important that most of your thoughts are travel planning, and not how to make more money for which you will buy 10 pairs of trousers.
Many people have already come to understand that it is much more useful to spend the money earned by one's own labor on travel, education and creativity than on a bunch of things that are really unnecessary. The researchers believe that companies will soon have to adapt to this shift in thinking in order to compete and survive in the new world of our generation.
People who have managed to set themselves goals for the future tend to be much happier than consumers immersed in goods and nonsense.
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