I can’t believe it has been 4 years now since the Coronavirus pandemic and it still feels like yesterday. Although it was a difficult time, it also led to certain beautiful things.
I, for one, have become more appreciative of simple things. The crisis somehow helped me to reevaluate my priorities and focus on what truly matters to me. I’ve always been the pragmatic and functional type and after the pandemic, I’ve become even more experiential in my approach to life.
If there’s another good outcome of Corona 2020 that I’m grateful for, it would be the experience economy. It has changed the perspective of people when it comes to work, leisure, and human connection. We’ve truly understood the fragility of life and the impermanence of things we hold dear.
More than ever, we cannot underestimate anymore the value of living life to the fullest.
How to live in this experience economy and benefit from it? Find out here!
What’s in the Experience Economy
Take a look around you.
The travelers we see on social media are engaged in unique experiences like cooking classes, cultural tours, or adventure sports. Hotels and restaurants are focusing on providing memorable experiences like sip & paint, floral arrangement workshops, chef demo class, themed buffets, and many more. Many retailers are transforming their stores into experiential spaces with interactive displays, workshops, or social events.
There’s an increasing importance on experiences as brought about by the global health crisis and there’s a growing influence of the experience economy to businesses and consumers.
What Led to this Experience Economy
After being confined to our homes for extended periods, we developed this strong desire to get out and have new experiences. This explains the surge in travel and entertainment when country borders eased. A term was even coined called ‘revenge travel’.
Even I did a revenge trip in 2023 when I ventured into my first solo international trip for 60 days straight in the 1st quarter and did it again in the 4th quarter!
Most of us had to rely on digital platforms for work, education, and social interaction. It took a toll on some of us and this digital fatigue led us to seek out real-world experiences as a way to disconnect and recharge.
The pandemic emphasized the importance of human connection and social interaction. We’re now more willing to pay a premium for experiences that allow us to connect with others in meaningful ways.
The shift towards remote work created more flexibility and time for us to pursue experiential activities. Most of us are looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and discover new things through experiences.
Integrate Work and Play
The impermanence of things is a fundamental truth of life and we’ve witnessed this during the Coronovirus pandemic. Everything changes and nothing lasts forever.
If we focus solely on work, we’ll neglect the other important areas of our life and this might lead to a negative well being. We might damage the connections we have with family and friends.
If we just put our efforts mainly on leisure, there could be financial instability, boredom, and missed opportunities in return.
It’s smart to integrate both in our life.
It’s great to find ways to incorporate our hobbies into our work. For example, we can use our creative skills in our job or volunteering for a cause. We can even explore hobbies that are related to our work, such as attending industry events or joining professional organizations.
With the emergence of remote work, we can explore options like flexible hours, hybrid set-up, or compressed workweeks. The time saved can be used to hang out more with loved ones, pets, and on social activities.
How I Live in the Experience Economy
Now that it’s on the rise, I feel that it’s beneficial to take advantage of it. To truly live in this experience economy, here’s what I do:
I make experiences a central part of my life and I choose the ones that align with my values, interests, and goals. I’m more focused on a few high-quality experiences.
Every month, I dedicate time to discovering cafes in our area. I appreciate those that serve good coffee and food and where the ambience is great for laptop work, journaling, or creative tasks. Here are my experiences in the cafes in Colombo.
I try new things and challenge myself to grow and learn and I don’t just wait for them anymore to happen. It’s best to actively create them. I’m now in my 40s and I open myself up to what excites and motivates me. I pursue activities that bring out the child in me.
I make conscious efforts to create lasting memories and experiences. Earlier this year, my family and I spent a wonderful time at the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana. We always take the time to go on a vacation whenever we can.
What We Can Learn from the Experience Economy
The experience economy is teaching us that the key to a fulfilling life lies in creating and embracing meaningful experiences. Beyond material possessions, it emphasizes the importance of personal growth, human connection, and mindful consumption.
It may be best to participate in community events while we’re still young and strong. Share your experiences with others to create lasting memories. Be present in the moment and appreciate the experiences you have. Embrace the unknown and view challenges as opportunities for growth.
Of course, some experiences can be expensive and not everyone has the resources to access them. There may be this pressure to constantly seek out new and exciting activities. Let’s be mindful of what we’re consuming to avoid stress, unnecessary accidents, and jealousy.
How are you embracing the experience economy in your own life? What steps can you take to create more meaningful experiences in your daily life? Let us know your thoughts.
(We write our content in the hope of making you, our readers, feel a little more inspired in a time when you’re probably feeling low. We hope you feel a little lighter after visiting our site. Then, we know we’ve served our purpose.⭐)
