You’re scrolling through social media and suddenly you find yourself envying the happy couples, the European vacations, the beautiful friends and social gatherings. Next thing you know, you find yourself getting lost in your own thoughts of not feeling good enough, well-traveled or as successful. Than you’re not as fit, not as pretty . . . or, not as happy as everyone else you see. Relate? Of course you do. Those highlight reels are so good. It’s time to realize how good your life is – the good, the bad & the ugly. It’s your story and it’s amazing.
I’m just as guilty at getting lost in those highlight reels that “bless” our timelines all day, every day. It’s actually so sad that social media has not only disrupted our lives, but it continues to shove this happily-ever-after lifestyle down our throats. Want to be happier and content with your own life? The one thing that will turn that contentment upside down is doing the whole comparison thing. Believing what you see as the whole picture and comparing your life to that illusion.
If there is one thing I learned through my 45+ years of living, is that life is not a fairy tale. At one time, I thought it was. I had the prince charming, the “castle” and the happily-ever-after ending. I loved showing it all off on Facebook and was so proud of my life. After learning of my husband’s infidelity, I was quick to let everyone know about that, as well. It was then, I realized that, “Wow, life isn’t perfect.” In fact, it’s not at all beautiful, all the time. It’s beautiful, wonderful, messy, hard, sad, happy and full of big and little lessons along the way. A life well lived, isn’t the cherry on top. It’s the spills, drips and learning to enjoy the cracks in the cone and the ice cream that has toppled over. It’s learning to accept and make the most of what is, instead of your perfect picture idea of what it was supposed to be.
It’s okay to share the happy times. But, it’s just as okay to share the not-so-happy times, too. It’s maybe even better not to share at all. During the moments I did share my struggles, so many people reached out offering advice, love and that shoulder I needed at the time. I also had people reaching out to me looking for advice themselves. Because, guess what – they’re life wasn’t perfect, either.
So, in these times of people sharing their day to day, it’s so important to keep your reality center stage. Remember, you’re only seeing a glimpse of their reality – and most of the time, it’s the prettiest glimpse. What can you do to avoid jumping on the envy train?
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