You've had a long day. You sat in a classroom where you took notes and actually tried to pay attention. Or you went to work and attempted to not check your phone for at least five minutes. Or you went to a family reunion and were asked multiple times what you were going to do with your life. Pat yourself on the back. You deserve a reward.

We tend to treat ourselves by buying "stuff." I understand that buying a new pair of shoes can make you feel better at the end of a stressful day. I've always thought that since it's a physical object, the feeling of happiness would last longer. But most of the time it only makes me happy temporarily. After a while, that pair of cute heels or that nice leather jacket isn't so new anymore. We assume our happiness will last as long as the shoes or jacket, but that's not true.

Spending money on experiences rather than on material items is more beneficial. It helps us grow and becomes part of our identity. You are not your shirt and you are not your shoes. Material items don't define you. When you spend money on a concert, museum or on traveling, you gain new knowledge about yourself. You have stories to tell. When you share an experience with someone, it connects you with them. A good experience can bring you closer to someone you care about. Even a bad experience can turn into a funny story.

I never hear "No way, you have a laptop? Me too!" People don't freak out about those kinds of similarities. People get excited when they hear someone talking about how they saw their favorite band live or how they met their significant other at an art museum. Humans love stories -- we're natural storytellers. We don't compare experiences the same way we compare material items.

I urge you to hold off on buying that new pair of boots you were thinking of buying or dropping $100 on a jacket you just saw. Go to a music festival with a group of your friends. Attend an art show with your partner. Go somewhere fun with your family. Experiences will bring you closer to the people you care about and will teach you so much about yourself.