S imple living.
In a world which pushes consumerism at every turn, it's a little hard to turn the other way.
We are told that we need to update our clothing, our homes, our cars.
We are told to want it all, for we can have it all.
Known as the 'Rat Race', the only way to win the race is not to compete at all.
Remove yourself from the race. Make the decision to live your own life, rather than a life you're encouraged to live, based on consumption and how much the economy needs you to want what "everyone else has".
THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Recognising a genuine desire to have something in your life isn't something that comes naturally. We grow up with a view of how others live and we make the assumption that these people are happy, so if we have what they have, we can be just as happy.
The birth of social media outlets have created a landslide of unrealistic comparison. We scroll through our newsfeeds and get the 'highlight reel' of other people's lives.
We see romantic dinners with significant others, perfectly curated meals, well styled children, immaculate homes, beautiful travel destinations and brand new toys.
Whilst no one really wants to be the "Debbie Downer" of Facebook, we need to be realistic. Everyone is struggling with something at a level of which we will never truly be aware of.
Just as you probably don't share your absolute worst moments of the day, your financial struggles, your health struggles, your fears, you have to assume that everyone else is keeping those very things to themselves as well.
Most people update their social media pages to share the moments they're happy and excited about, usually never sharing the lower moments unless they've come out at the other side and are proud of where they have ended up.
Usually, social media isn't a lie. However, there are certainly people out there that want you to believe that they have it all - usually because they're trying to sell you a particular lifestyle or product.
FOCUS ON YOUR OWN GRASS
There's this saying, "A sign of a happy relationship is no sign of it on Facebook". In other words, happy people don't have the time to talk about their 'haves' and 'have nots', they're too busy being happy.
The same applies to life in general - if you are focusing on a life which makes you happy and content, you will find yourself spending less time focusing on what others have.
Simplifying life in a way which focuses solely on who you are and the life you want to live will give you the complete freedom to be exactly who you want to be.
It will free up more of your time, money and energy.
Focusing on what your grass needs in order to be healthy, strong and a beautiful shade of green, is the only way to combat the wonder of whether the "grass is greener on the other side".
Green grass is one of two things - artificial or healthy.
TAKING THE FIRST STEP
Change isn't as easy as it is powerful.
Recognising life's necessities and being honest about what you desire in life is the starting point to simplifying the way you live.
It's the only true way to completely remove yourself from the restraints of living in a consumption fueled world.
Erin Michele. x
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