This Christmas, I spent it with my boyfriend’s maternal side of the family, which appears to be their annual tradition. There are two kids in the family, one 7 and the other one at 6. During the gift giving, the kids’ eyes glimmer as their names are called. One is being called more than the other, and the older one muttered “Why is the other kid getting more gifts than I do?” No one replied, it was an inner dialogue that seemed to be just for himself, but he’s happy with he has regardless. He started painting with the art kit his grandmother gave him, and he already built a piece with the blocks he received. Despite the probable discrepancy (I did not count) of the gifts, he still went home jumpy and happy.
This certain anecdote came to me when I found myself wondering the same thing when I browsed through my old acquaintances on Instagram. Why does this person have a better life than I do? Which was then automatically followed by, Am I not living a good life? I am, right?
Today, I want to dive on why envy seem to come out often and why we shouldn’t let an ugly emotion get the best of us.
Like most people, we want a good life. If you ask me what my dream is, I want to travel around the world and not think about not having anything on my table for the next days. I think that goes for a lot of people, too. However, I have responsibilities, not just for myself. I did start living on my own, but I still help my family from time to time, on top of that, I am also saving for future plans. Despite how tempting spending all of my income is, it’s never wise to pour everything in one bucket.
So, whenever I see people getting the best out of life, jumping from one country to another, I sometimes feel a slight pang in my chest knowing I don’t have the luxury to do it. I start ruminating about how I don’t make enough, and how I only have myself to support me. It leaves me feeling depressed.
I realised it shouldn’t be that way.
I have a long list of things I should be grateful for, on top of that, I should be happy about the fact that most of the things I’ve done so far, I’ve done it myself. I’ve supported myself, and it makes me much more valuable because nothing can be taken away from me – I have what I earned.
I’m happy to have a job; to be able to put food on the table; to have friends who support me; to have a family who loves me; to have a boyfriend who takes care of me; to have a hobby that lets me breathe; and to have a life that gives me a chance.
It’s all in the simple things that makes every day happen. I don’t need an extravagant life. I like how simple everything is where I am. Nothing complicated, all low maintenance. I find it easier to smile everyday knowing I can be happy with most of the things I have in life.
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