#lifeexperiment

Following the "life as an experiment" idea for a bit...

In less than 24 hours it will be 2014. As I look back on the past year the one thing that jumps out at me is that although my salary has increased exponentially over the last five years, my happiness has not.

I have those Isabel Marant ankle boots I always wanted (two pairs actually). A new Macbook Air. A Nook. An iPad that I convinced myself would be my go-to computer, but I ended up giving to my mom because it sat in my nightstand cabinet for six months. Nars oxblood red nail polish in Chinatown that I swore would make me look (and feel) more put together ie. successful. At least a half dozen new Tory Burch handbags that I ended up giving away to my closest friends because, well, who needs a half dozen purses.

All of this is to say, that I have every material thing I could possibly want. I will not freeze, go hungry, or need for shelter. What I do long for is more experiences—more moments that fill me with joy and make me scream “I am alive” inside. 

Here are the times when I feel the happiest:

When I am doing activities with friends, whether going to the movies, out to dinner, or even just taking a walk.

When I am on the phone with family or loved ones, talking about their lives or watching my nephews open their presents on Christmas morning.

When I’m traveling, experiencing new cultures, people, and food.

When my husband and I explore new neighborhoods in Manhattan, new types of food, or take one of our annual trips to a city we haven't visited before.

I want more moments like these in my life. Instead of getting that heady rush when buying a new dress, I want to experience euphoria while going to a gallery opening with friends. Or inviting a group of eight over for a home-cooked meal in our Harlem apartment. I already do these things, but I  am greedy for more experiences. I lust for more of life. I want to gorge myself on making memories with friends and loved ones. And if I didn’t spend money on material things, I could pay for what is truly valuable, the experiences that would give me a return in terms of time and joy.

Here are the parameters of what I’ll call my Experience Experiment. I can spend money on:

Travel

Meals

Plants

Art

Others

Causes I care about

Activities: movies, yoga, nails (etc)

Books

Materials to make something ie. paint supplies

Educational opportunities

Necessities: toothpaste, haircuts (etc)

This is an experiment. This is my year of living experientially. Will I end 2014 happier than I started it?