As a general rule, I am all about experiences over stuff. Stuff wears out, breaks, gets stolen.
But as reported in the Atlantic this week, some material goods actually CAN make you happy. And I’m definitely not going to argue with that. Here are the material things that make me happy.
My guitar
After nearly two years being guitar-less, I picked one up for $100 secondhand last month. I can’t tell you how much joy it’s bringing me. I’m never going to be much more than a dabbler, but I didn’t realise how much I missed playing.
Unlike my old guitar, it’s not a name brand, though, and for the first time I am finding out first hand what difference that actually makes. (Occasional fret buzz, less than smooth-looking neck/body joint, and prone to paint surface cracks.) But since I’m never going to be a serious muso, it’ll do just fine for now – and possibly for a long time.
Good quality kitchen knife
I can never go back to the days of sawing away at vegetables/meat with the kind of knife that now feels so flimsy I could practically bend it with my bare hands. No siree.
Expensive frypan
Likewise, I love my Circulon pan. Now I can actually make decent looking hotcakes, among other things!
A reliable car
Not something we’ve had the privilege of experiencing much, alas. Working on changing that.
A decent house
I dream of living in a house that’s properly insulated, warm and dry. And hey, since dreams are free, let’s throw in a bonus heat pump. Still a way off…
