It's been a long debate over the years on whether possessions or the experiences we share with others are the source of our true happiness. New research from LV= has set out to look into this argument and prove which is the biggest source of life fulfilment. This research is a survey of 2000 people as part of the surround yourself campaign.
Surround yourself with Experiences
Overall it is the experiences that we share with our family and friends that comes out on top with one in eight people (82%) saying that being surrounded with these experiences rather than things makes them the most fulfilled and happy. It is so important that we open our eyes and really take in the experiences and interactions that we go through every day as it not only important to our own personal happiness but to those who we are sharing our time with happiness as well.
Only 8% have admitted that possessions make them happy, and when you look at the research that percentage doubles amongst people aged 18-24 (16%). This variation caused by age puts into question whether what makes us happy is changing between generations, as technology becomes a more prominent force in our lives the focus has shifted from being content with what we have to purchasing the must have upgrade of the latest piece of tech.
However, this is the minority as it seems the age difference does not specifically mean a huge divide on what makes us happy. Three quarters of people aged 50 and over (75%) say their main source of happiness is drawn from socialising with family and friends and 62% of 18-24 year olds say the same.
The experiences that make us happy can be split into two groups according to this research, time with family and friends and the second is travel and seeing the world. In the last 12 months, travel has been particularly important for those aged 50 and over, half (52%) travelled to somewhere they'd previously been for holiday and a quarter (23%) visited a new country. Two-thirds (65%) of those aged 50 and over said travelling to a new country brings them a great deal of happiness, and six in ten (59%) people aged 25-34 say the same.
It seems that experiences win out and are a vital part of our happiness, so instead of spending money on possessions it should go on making memories with the people we love and seeing new things.
try LV= 'Surround yourself' Quiz lv.com/life-insurance/lv-love-life/lifestyle/surround-yourself-quiz