If I could go just one day without comparing my life to someone else's, I think that would be a form of freedom my mind can't even fathom. Thank you always for keeping us sane and grounded and appreciated. Your work is so needed in this busy kaleidoscope of life.
Teddy Roosevelt said "comparison is the thief of joy," and, as you said, social media is rife with comparison. I left Instagram in April and am off Facebook about 95% of the time, and I am so much happier for it. Those perfect moments are just moments, and dwelling on them doesn't help. Focusing on what is is so much more useful than focusing on what isn't. Thanks for another beautiful essay.
This was good! I appreciate that you emphasize that there is a whole range of experiences--including good ones!--and sharing them helps all of us understand each other better and make room for each other.
Thank you, Tiffany. Yes, I think that people should not be ashamed or worried to share the good stuff, I guess the hope is for sharing the authentic stuff which can be it all--the good, the hard, imperfect and so on.
Your note sharing this post made me laugh. I used to post that we were back at the "world's hottest pumpkin patch" when the botanical garden had their pumpkin patch event during the day. Our tradition was to be MISERABLE but we were at a pumpkin patch, darn it! It's so much nicer now that they have an evening event (and my children are a decade older--the real trick).
If I could go just one day without comparing my life to someone else's, I think that would be a form of freedom my mind can't even fathom. Thank you always for keeping us sane and grounded and appreciated. Your work is so needed in this busy kaleidoscope of life.
Oh, freedom, that is a great word for it. Thank you, Sri!
Teddy Roosevelt said "comparison is the thief of joy," and, as you said, social media is rife with comparison. I left Instagram in April and am off Facebook about 95% of the time, and I am so much happier for it. Those perfect moments are just moments, and dwelling on them doesn't help. Focusing on what is is so much more useful than focusing on what isn't. Thanks for another beautiful essay.
Thank you, Janine!
This was good! I appreciate that you emphasize that there is a whole range of experiences--including good ones!--and sharing them helps all of us understand each other better and make room for each other.
Thank you, Tiffany. Yes, I think that people should not be ashamed or worried to share the good stuff, I guess the hope is for sharing the authentic stuff which can be it all--the good, the hard, imperfect and so on.
Your note sharing this post made me laugh. I used to post that we were back at the "world's hottest pumpkin patch" when the botanical garden had their pumpkin patch event during the day. Our tradition was to be MISERABLE but we were at a pumpkin patch, darn it! It's so much nicer now that they have an evening event (and my children are a decade older--the real trick).
And you will all always remember the "world's hottest pumpkin patch".
I’m so glad you’re sharing this one again! I needed these reminders today 🎃
The pumpkin patch pressure is real and then it just slides right into all the holiday stuff. I am so glad it was helpful Ashley!