Adventures Over Things: Investing in Experiences, Not Just Stuff

Think back to the best times you’ve shared with your partner. Chances are, they weren’t about things you bought but about experiences you had together—laughing on a spontaneous road trip, dancing under the stars, or exploring a new city hand in hand.

I’ll share that I believe every new couple should go camping in a tent or canoeing. Talk about a way to test your relationship! But putting up a tent, or steering a canoe, take teamwork, communication, and a good mindset. Plus it’s great fodder for story telling!

It’s easy to focus on accumulating material possessions as we create homes and families. But research shows that experiences bring more lasting joy than things—they create memories, deepen emotional bonds, and add richness to our relationships in ways that physical items simply cannot.

Long-term couples who prioritize shared experiences over material possessions often report higher levels of relationship satisfaction. Why? Because experiences invite growth, connection, and adventure—all essential ingredients for a thriving marriage.

The Case for Choosing Experiences

1. Shared Memories Build Emotional Intimacy
   When you invest in experiences together, you’re creating stories you’ll retell for years to come. These shared memories strengthen your bond and become part of your relationship’s history, reinforcing your connection in a way that material possessions cannot.
2. Adventures Encourage Growth and Bonding
   Trying new things together—whether it’s traveling somewhere unfamiliar or learning a new skill—keeps your relationship fresh and exciting. Experiences help you grow both individually and as a couple, reinforcing the idea that you’re in this life journey together.
3. Less Clutter, More Joy: The Mental and Emotional Benefits of Simplifying
   Too much “stuff” can create stress, while intentional living leads to deeper happiness. Choosing to invest in experiences means you’re putting your resources toward what truly matters—connection, joy, and shared adventures.

Ideas for Meaningful Experiences Together

• Local Micro-Adventures – Take a day trip, explore a new hiking trail, visit a nearby town, or try that restaurant you’ve always meant to go to.
• Learn Together – Sign up for a dance class, learn a new language, take a pottery or painting workshop, or cook a dish from a different culture.
• Annual Traditions or Bucket-List Experiences – Plan something special each year, like a weekend getaway, an anniversary trip, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
• Surprise Dates: Bringing Spontaneity into Long-Term Love – Keep things exciting by asking each each other out for creative, unique date nights or unexpected outings.

Conclusion

Life’s most precious moments aren’t found in shopping bags; they’re found in the laughter, adventure, and deep connection that come from shared experiences.

The Brave Marriage Challenge: This month, each of you plan an experience-based date, so you will have two new experiences.

Choose something that will add to your love story—not just your possessions.

© The Brave Marriage, 2025; CC BY-NC