Investing in experiences

While I have debates on whether being born in 1981 is being a millennial or not, I work with a lot of people in their early and late 20s. They proudly proclaim their millennial status. As a result of that many of their habits are inculcated in me. I leave it to another date on debating, whether drinking beers from micro-brewery is better than the canned ones.

Few things all the millennials get it right is: Buy less stuff and get more experiences. Some psychologists and experts in behavioural science opine that instead of hoarding things, we should all get more experiences, to increase our happiness quotient.

Buying a home by taking a mortgage, buying an expensive car with a loan were things of the past. This generation rents and hire things. Tons has been written about the gig economy. But I want to focus on what they do the best. Getting soaked in many experiences. 

Surfing on a beach, dining in a Michelin rated restaurant, trekking to El Capitan, attending a 10-day meditation retreat, an expert-guided psilocybin trip. I can go on and on over this list of experiences. Instead of shopping stuff and hoarding clutter at home, getting these experiences with your loved ones sounds very cool. Sharing them on Instagram, after the experience or better during the experience is super hip.

2018 has been a year of some wild experiences and preparation for many to come. I started this year with a trip in hot air balloon with my family. It was an adventurous but a wildly fun experience. I ended the year by attending a live performance by Cirque du Soleil. It was a fantastic experience.

More importantly, I read a book by Michael Pollan called "How to change your mind" and I am thoroughly convinced and looking forward for a guided experience  with a psilocybin expert.

What are your experiences of 2018?