The IKEA Effect and Philosophy: Why Building Things Makes Us Happier
I had never heard of the IKEA effect. It sounded like a foolish name, but I was ignorant enough to mistake it as a foolish name.
My friend, Syed, was building a chair, and suddenly, I appeared out of nowhere. I surprised him, and he was happy to see me. I asked, ” Bro! What the hell are you doing?”
He laughed and answered, “ I am making a chair. It is fun.”
But man, you can go to the store and buy a readymade one; why are you wasting time with this menial and laborious work?
He seemed happy and started to explain the IKEA effect. I laughed and asked, what gibberish are you talking about? He felt bad, for I didn’t understand him. Leaving in frustration, he said, “You will understand when you build something.”
I googled the name and was fascinated to know the connection between this effect and the happiness a person could feel with this.
Let me explain it to you and try to persuade you as to how this effect can bring happiness to one’s life.
The philosophy behind the IKEA effect is like this:
The Ikea effect says that when you make something using your own hands, you tend to value it more. This is why the IKEA stores are famous: they give you a chance to make your things using…
