The picture above was taken in Kenya’s Masai Mara. A cheetah mum and her cub on the lookout for lunch and shortly to explode into an (unsuccessful) pursuit of a passing Thompson’s Gazelle. The photo will not win any photography prizes but it was me behind the camera living the moment.
The picture below was taken in tea country in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia. That’s me doing my cheesy tourist best smile.
This is me again in the middle of what proved to be a super pod of dolphins off the Portugal coast.
Why am I telling you this?
Experiences like these and many other amazing ones have been possible for me in the last few years because I am fortunate enough to:
- Have enough spare income to be able to afford the opportunities
- Live with someone that has a passion for the travelling life
Mostly though experiences like this have been possible because I’ve made them a priority over other stuff.
I am a consumer. Always have been and I’m sure always will be but I realised a few years ago that only the right sort of more really matters.
More stuff, more material things matters less to me than it once did. I like nice things don’t get me wrong and I can be quite particular with what I do like but there’s only so much I really need at any one time.
More experiences however do interest me. They are a priority. Being able to realise lifelong dreams excites me and gets my blood rushing.
Being able to wake up to the sights, sounds and smells of an African morning on safari is worth not having the latest smartphone for.
Being able to run in the warm, soft sand of Mui Nei beach in Vietnam while the sun rises is worth not having the latest super-duper TV for.
For me there’s only one real winner in the stuff versus experiences conversation. I try to live accordingly.
How about you? If it’s more experiences you really crave, are your daily actions supporting your goals?
You can see a recent interview I did for Arise TV’s culture show, This Day Live here where I talk a little more about experiences versus stuff.
With Arise TV Presenter Asha Tanna and a Frictionless Living collage!
