In today’s world of endless consumer choice, we often find ourselves caught between purchasing material goods or spending money to experience great times.
Interestingly, more and more people are leaning toward experiences—luxury travel, fine dining, cultural encounters, and beyond. Like the forms of companionship such as spending time with high class London escorts—rather than accumulating more possessions.
This shift speaks to something much deeper than simple preference: it taps into the psychology of indulgence. Why do we derive greater satisfaction from experiences than things? Why are we willing to spend more when what we’re buying is not tangible?
The solutions lie in how our brains handle things like memory, status, and feeling good about ourselves.
What Draws People to Experiences in a Real World
Wealth was displayed as owning possessions—land, jewellery, fine clothing, or expensive cars.This has been happening for centuries. People have seen those material goods as proof of success and security. Yet research increasingly shows that people feel more fulfilled when they spend on experiences rather than objects.
Experiences have a unique ability to engage us emotionally. A handbag or watch may impress others for a moment, but the joy often fades. A luxury weekend in Paris, an intimate dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or an evening of engaging with a company of high class escort in a way that makes our lives better long after the event is over.
This phenomenon is known as the “experiential advantage.” Simply put, the happiness we gain from experiences tends to last longer than the fleeting excitement of acquiring things.
Memory: The Treasure Chest of Indulgence
Psychologically, experiences hold a powerful advantage because they are tied to memory. The way our brains work it’s to remember important moments. Think about your last truly unforgettable evening—perhaps a holiday abroad, a concert with someone you love, or an unpredictable night of adventure. Chances are, that memory brings a smile even now.
Material items, on the other hand, become part of the everyday. When a new purchase becomes part of our daily lives, it has less of an effect on how we feel. A luxury car may feel exhilarating at first, but after a few months, it becomes just another way of commuting.
Experiences remain alive in our minds because they are unique, and they often involve social connection. Our memory acts as a curator of indulgence, replaying the feelings that mattered most.
The Social Currency of Experiences
Human beings are inherently social creatures. We don’t just buy for ourselves—we buy for the story it allows us to tell. Psychologists call this “social currency.”
For example, telling your friends about a weekend in Tuscany or a London art show is often more interesting than showing them what you just bought. When something feels so great, it naturally makes people want to talk about it and admire it.
In this way, excess is about more than just how we feel. It’s also about how other people see us. Investing in events makes us feel better about ourselves in ways that things can’t. People admire high-end handbags, but telling stories about a private yacht trip in the Mediterranean takes it all up to a whole new level.
Anticipation: The Hidden Joy of Splurging
One of the most underrated aspects of spending on experiences is the anticipation factor. Studies in psychology show that simply looking forward to an experience boosts happiness.
Imagine booking a gourmet wine-tasting in Bordeaux months in advance. The excitement builds with each passing week, creating positive emotions before the event even occurs. In contrast, material purchases rarely deliver the same anticipatory pleasure. An expensive watch might make you happy when you first see it, but it doesn’t necessarily give you the same lasting joy.
Because of this, looking forward to experiences is a way to feel happy that starts a long time before the event and lasts a long time after.
Indulgence as Self-Care
In our fast-paced world, indulgence is often framed as frivolous. But psychology suggests otherwise. Treating ourselves to unique, luxurious experiences is actually a form of self-care.
Spending your money on experiences allows us to recharge, reimagine, and reconnect with ourselves. Going on a wellness retreat in the countryside, a fine-dining in London restaurant, or the companionship of someone who can provide interesting conversation and intimacy; these will make you feel mentally better.
Unlike material goods, which often demand upkeep or eventually cause financial regret, experiences frequently leave us with little guilt. Instead, they serve as anchors of happiness during times of stress.
The Role of Exclusivity and Luxury
The feeling of being the only one who can have an experience is part of what makes indulging in them so psychologically strong. We think an event is worth a lot more when it feels special, private, or expensive.
For example, anyone can buy a watch from a luxury store. But if you ask if everyone can afford and can enjoy an evening with a private chef, an art tour led by a renowned curator, or an intimate booking with a discreet high-class companion. These indulgences are not easily replicated, which makes them more desirable.
Exclusiveness connects indulgence to identity; choosing rare experiences that you are upscale, successful, and well-mannered. This is why high-end experiences continue to grow in demand, even as people claim to be less materialistic.
Why Experiences Feel More “Us”
There is also a deeper psychological reason experiences win out: they become part of who we are.
A handbag is something you own. A luxury journey, however, becomes a story you tell, a lesson you learned, a memory you carry, and even a part of your identity. Those wonderful experiences shape the narrative of our lives. They are woven into how we describe ourselves to others: “I am someone who travels,” “I am someone who appreciates fine art,” “I am someone who values meaningful connections.”
In this way, indulgence in experiences is not just about pleasure. It is about creating a sense of self.
Indulgence Without Regret
One of the most fascinating aspects of spending on experiences is that regret is rare. People may regret splurging on a car or a gadget they didn’t need, but studies consistently show that experiences—no matter how extravagant—rarely evoke the same feeling of waste.
Memories of “spoiling yourself” are still in our memory even when things change. When you think back on a luxurious vacation you took years ago, it still feels so positive, like a good investment, but an old piece of junk it’s has been now used and may now seem pointless or out of date.
This “regret-proof” quality makes experiences one of the most psychologically sound ways to indulge.
The Balance Between Things and Moments
Of course, material goods are not without value. Luxury items can represent a symbol of some kind of achievement, style, and taste. However, research in psychology shows that real happiness comes from events rather than things.
For example, getting an expensive suit is much more meaningful when you wear it to a formal event. Buying a nice bottle of wine is most fun when you share it with friends and family on a special night. In this way, indulgence isn’t about choosing between events and things; it’s about making sure that things make moments better instead of taking their place.
Last Thoughts: The Luxury of Living Fully
Indulging is not a sign of weakness; it’s a choice to enjoy life. Why we spend a lot of money on events shows us something very human: we want meaning, connection, and memories more than we want things.
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