Every Christmas season I look forward to the inevitable newspaper article or TV news show story – well, yes, gifts too! – that tells of how people are increasingly putting experiences under the tree (so to speak), because people prefer experiences over things. Here’s one example of the genre: “The Rise Of Experience Gifting: A Shift Towards Unforgettable Moments”.
A couple of weeks before Christmas I wondered if this year, perchance, there would be a story about people giving the gift of transformation, or at least of transformative experiences, for certainly too people prefer transformations over things. So I search and searched, but to no avail.
Ah, but then I found one from early December that was unrelated to Christmas, but instead talked of transformations for the new year! Entitled “4 Types of Experiences to Seek in 2025: Build a year of growing and meaning”, it’s by Nicole Whiting, who writes the Beyond Limits blog in Psychology Today. According to her bio she’s a clinically trained “(e)Motion coach” as well as a doctoral candidate in Developmental Coaching, and “helps clients delve deep into the realms of human relationships, potential, and healing.” In other words, she knows transformations.
And oh does she! As I read the post I realized that Whiting’s four types of experiences matched my four levels of experience, the bottom portion of my Delta Model.
The lowest level is memorable experiences, and Whiting’s first section is “Memorable Experiences: Crafting Moments that Stick”. She recommends in the new year to “consider planning a trip to a place you’ve never been, attending a live performance, or even trying something outside your comfort zone, like a dance class or volunteering. Focus on moments that engage your senses and spark your curiosity.”
The next level is meaningful experiences (same link as above), which Whiting discusses in “Impactful Experiences: Making a Difference”. These “involve deep emotional resonance and meaningful action, creating ripples that extend far beyond the moment”, including those that offer “Resonance and Meaning”.
Then comes transporting experiences, which Whiting remarks on in the section “Exceptional Experiences: Elevating the Ordinary”. She includes transcendence here, and recommends: “Think of something that feels impossible or out of reach and plan to take a step toward it in 2025. Maybe it’s climbing a mountain, running a marathon, or even attending a spiritual retreat. These experiences not only bring joy but often reveal new dimensions of strength and potential.”
Finally the top level of experiences (and bottom level of transformations), the transformative, which Whiting considers in “Transformative Experiences: Embracing Change and Growth”, writing how they “go beyond the memorable—they fundamentally alter how we see the world and ourselves.” She further mentions the importance of reflection & integration (see above link), and recommends in 2025 to “seek opportunities for transformation through self-development retreats, engaging in deep therapeutic work, or taking on a challenge that scares you a little. For example, stepping into a leadership role, pursuing a passion project, or traveling solo can create fertile ground for self-discovery.”
Amen!
Whiting doesn’t go through them in order, and there are some overlaps (such as mentioning awe with memorable rather than transporting experiences), but kudos to her for identifying exactly the right four types of experiences.
Have a happy new year, and with her article as inspiration, a transformational 2025!
Joe
© 2024 B. Joseph Pine II