A few days ago, I wrote an article touching on depression, anxiety and other forms of mental unrest, wherein I shared my thoughts on what really triggers us to emotional and mental instability. The most obvious one being COMPARISON.
In a world where social media dominates every single sector, it would be a lie for someone to declare that never once have they compared themselves to someone based on what is posted online.
We live in a world where we glorify those who seem to live a great and lavish lifestyle based on what they wear, who they are with, what they eat, where they eat, where they travel to, what car they drive, among many other things. We are quick to be envious of what people , whom we actually do not know in person, have “accomplished”. We are quick to follow and like all pictures posted by socialites around the world because we’d want to be them; to have their lifestyles, even if just for a day. But what we do not know is, what did it take for them to get there?
While we are busy looking at what other people are accomplishing, including our friends and family, we forget to live our lives to the full capacity that we should. We halt our own progress because we are busy crying over how greener the grass on the other side is.
We forget that, sometimes, the grass that is way greener is indeed fake! That, on social media, the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side! Nobody posts misfortunes. Nobody posts about when they slept hungry; or they had to call someone to bail them out of a situation. Everyone will only post about the great things happening in their lives; and as such, it is absolutely foolish to judge your own lows based on another person’s highest highs.
Contentment- A state of happiness and satisfaction
We ought to learn how to be content with what we have.
Let’s go back to the basics. For the longest time, we have debated on how to look at the glass as either half full or half empty. But on most occasions, I wonder, why not just be happy that there is something in the glass? Why do we have to focus on the fact that there is still some empty space in the glass we are holding?
Contentment.
Over time, we make a habit of constantly focusing on what is missing, rather than on what we have. What do we hold? What have we achieved? What interesting thing has happened to us? What percentage of our set goals have we managed to score? Is it progressive?
Small achievements mean a lot to you if you choose to focus on celebrating them. Contentment.
I always tell people this: Most of what we see is probably make-believe. Unless we get to see the personification of situations, then, there is a very high percentage that what we are fed with is just make-believe. It’s unreal.
Many people have perfected the act of “faking it til you make it”; and that means that many are living a lie.
You need to be comfortable in your own space. Be content with what you have; with how far you have come.
Depending on your faith, I believe that what we can all agree on is the fact that we are at each very moment in the space and circumstance that we are meant to be in. And you cannot rush it. If there’s a lesson to be learned in the process, I guarantee that it has to pass before more can be granted to you. For example, that Mercedes-Benz AMG that you always eye will not be yours until you learn how to be humble (If that’s your path).
So, be content.
And have a lovely week ahead!