I’m not old, but I am getting older day-by-day. As I grow, my perspective on gifts changes.

I am looking to lose or rid myself of the “things” I have. I don’t want another sweater, I have too many. I don’t want another shirt, I have too many. I don’t want another this or another that — I have too many. Let others who don’t have enough have those things.

At this point, I really don’t want to receive gifts because their utility will diminish with time and who knows how much time is left.

Instead, I really want to gift things to myself. I want to gift myself a trip somewhere, or a meal at a greasy spoon diner, or an experience that allows me to be curious and discover something new. I can get maximum utility from these experiences because they develop my perspective on the world. Ultimately, I change how I show because of the experiences.

On the other hand, there are people who want to give gifts because it makes them feel good to give gifts. Then, in that case, I argue that the benefit of the gift is really not for the person who is receiving it, it’s for the giver. In that case, the giver ought to give themselves more gifts — right back where we started from.

Are we giving ourselves enough gifts?

Gifts of time, health, experience, and wisdom.