Experiencing something -- the savory taste of a pepperoni pizza, the sound of gentle waves lapping sugary white sand -- can be an utter delight to the senses.
But according to studies, the experience actually pales in comparison to the anticipation of that experience.
Here are just a few examples:
1. Planning and looking forward to a vacation vs. actually being there.
2. Planning to buy clothes, a car, or other items compared to consuming them.
3. Picturing yourself eating a hearty meal (especially on an empty stomach and/or while watching a restaurant ad) vs actually eating it.
Dopamine, commonly considered the happiness or "feel good" chemical, is more involved in the anticipation of an event or feeling than in the actual feeling of happiness.
Often, the experience falls short of what we imagined, whether because it rains on the trip, the food leaves us with gas, or we get buyers' remorse for something we later discover we could have bought elsewhere for much cheaper.
It's all part and parcel of the human tendency to romanticize outcomes.
Imagine, for instance, how many people have met someone online whom they envisioned possibly marrying and having kids with -- only to see their hopes dashed after realizing there was no chemistry in person.
That isn't to say an experience can't live up to one's expectations. Maybe that juicy cheeseburger really ends up being as good as it looks in the TV commercial, or the job winds up being as fulfilling as advertised.
But as I've noted in prior posts, setting one's expectations too high carries the risk of disappointment. That's why it's best to try to temper one's excitement a bit with a dose of reality.
If you tend to buy on impulse and are trying to rein in spending, try to put off the purchase for one or more days -- then reassess whether you still wish to fork over the money.
It may just be that picturing the mere act of consuming or experiencing -- the anticipation, if you will -- elicits a "high" of dopamine that won't come down until you're riding in that car or sunbathing on that island.
Then, you set your sights on the next conquest, and the whole process resets.
Experience should remind us that material things provide only a fleeting sense of happiness. They wear, break, or become outdated. Experiences, like family vacations, at least cement wonderful memories in our minds and hearts. But there's no guarantee a vacation will be as spectacular as anticipated.
While planning that purchase or vacation, never lose sight of what you already have. In the end, gratitude provides a far higher level of fulfillment than the anticipation of a new item or trip can.
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