With this fresh year having just begun, I find myself evaluating little things that I can do or change to make my life more enjoyable and meaningful and essentially help me become a better person. I mentioned my Top 3 New Year’s Goals in our last post but beyond those, I want to continually be growing and evolving more into the woman that I want to be. I’ve noticed a dissatisfaction I feel at times particularly while browsing Instagram. While I often find it a source of great inspiration for new recipe ideas, workout moves, photo angles I want to use, palettes for interior design, outfit combinations or working harder to enjoy some of the finer things in life, sometimes I find myself getting caught up in seeing all of the ultra-glamorous and “perfect” images that a particular account has shared. It can tend to leave me feeling as though my own home or life is less than, particularly if the person sharing is doing a whole lot more of what I wish I were doing in that moment-traveling to countries I haven’t yet visited, building a grand custom home, vacationing in gorgeous destinations, dressing up in oodles of high end pricey garments, heels, handbags and being photographed in stunning locations. Can you relate? I do quickly snap out of it by reminding myself that social media snapshots are just that, a snapshot in time of a moment, not someone’s entire existence. This led me to sharing today’s quote as a reminder because if I struggle with these thoughts at times than I know for sure there are other women who have felt the same way. Comparison truly is the thief of all joy. Isn’t it? I find the most contentment in life when I’m busy, head down and working towards my dreams, coming up for air to enjoy the company of loves ones and celebrating with those who have worked hard for their own accomplishments, inspiring my more of my own!
These are my thoughts that I shared along with today’s quote image over on The Classy Woman Community Facebook page…..Jealousy and coveting (which sometimes leads to unhappiness and depression) is so tempting these days with social media being such an ever-present tool at our fingertips allowing us to be voyeurs into the ‘highlight reel’ of another’s life forgetting that it’s just that-a showcase of the best moments, rarely a share of the struggles, the mundane and the less-than-glamorous. It’s easy to feel as though the grass is always greener elsewhere but the truth is that the grass is greenest where we choose to water it, tending to it by pulling weeds and nurturing it by giving it fertilizer and a regular trim. More than a cliche quote, I believe this to be true but ONLY when we first begin focusing on all that we are grateful for in our own lives and invest time in making those things a priority, spending more time tending to them than looking over the fence. Thankfulness begets thankfulness! Happy Monday Everyone! 🙂
Do you find yourself struggling in this area too at times? How do you remind yourself that the grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence?
Thanks for Reading!
XO
http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.htmlThat link is to one of the best articles I have ever read, also discussing this exact topic!! Great insights, so I think you'd like it. 🙂
Caitlin, thank you so much for taking the time to share this link and article! I just read it now. The author does a fabulous job of explaining why we have the 'grass is greener' envy that we do about our careers and in so many other areas of our life, social media definitely being a contributing factor. It's no coincidence that reality TV and the desire to raise to fame also began when it did. I do fall into the Gen Y category as do the majority of my friends (many of whom suffer the same feelings of “we thought we'd be much further along than we are at our current age” due to the constant ingraining of you must follow your passion becoming/doing whatever your heart desires. Although economic times are different than that of the Boomers, etc., and there are other factors that contribute, the illustration is pretty spot-on as to why our attitudes and expectations are so different. 🙂 Have an awesome week! ~Karla
http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.htmlThat link is to one of the best articles I have ever read, also discussing this exact topic!! Great insights, so I think you'd like it. 🙂
Caitlin, thank you so much for taking the time to share this link and article! I just read it now. The author does a fabulous job of explaining why we have the 'grass is greener' envy that we do about our careers and in so many other areas of our life, social media definitely being a contributing factor. It's no coincidence that reality TV and the desire to raise to fame also began when it did. I do fall into the Gen Y category as do the majority of my friends (many of whom suffer the same feelings of “we thought we'd be much further along than we are at our current age” due to the constant ingraining of you must follow your passion becoming/doing whatever your heart desires. Although economic times are different than that of the Boomers, etc., and there are other factors that contribute, the illustration is pretty spot-on as to why our attitudes and expectations are so different. 🙂 Have an awesome week! ~Karla