287-Keeping Up with the Joneses

Social media allows us to share the highlights of our lives and to see the highlights of others. Unfortunately, this can lead to deep feelings of social comparison or "keeping up with the Joneses." Today, we discuss why that is and how to evolve it to something better. 

 

Transcript:

 

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life.

 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and today we’re talking about social comparison because we’re all feeling it at some point, me included. 

 

What we think will make us happy is often not what will actually make us happy.

 

There is so much outside pressure, social comparison, keeping up with the Joneses. 

 

You could be a millionaire, but you feel bad because there is another guy, making more money.  Someone else has a bigger yacht.  Or perhaps, your more money just equates to different problems.  Now, it’s “where am I going to park my yacht”?  Is it in the right yacht club?  How do I become a member of the prestigious yacht club? 

 

You see where I am going with this.  We do this too, in our daily lives, even if we don’t all own yachts. It’s schools and cars and houses and jewelry and clothing and sports.

 

The science says we need to recognize that tendency to feel the outside pressure and social comparison, so that we can shift social comparison and feed our brain more realistic reference points.

 

Not everyone makes more money than you.  Not everyone has a nicer car.  Not everyone is having Instagram worthy family vacations every second of the trip.  Social media is a highlight reel that we all can get caught up in.

 

So, the next time you want something that you think will make you happier.  Ask yourself?  Is this for social comparison?

 

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