We have all experienced moments when we wanted more than anything to “keep up with the Joneses.” This comparison trap is nothing new—our parents dealt with it, their parents dealt with it, and so on and so forth.
The only difference? Fifty years ago, the “Joneses” were just the folks down the street. Now, social media lets us keep tabs on hundreds of Joneses from all over the world—morning, noon, and night.
This kind of exposure to the lives of others can allow a constant yearning for what we don’t have to fester in our hearts. If we aren’t careful, it can breed discontentment as we compare our imperfect lives to the greatest hits of someone else’s.
My guest knows what it’s like to long for the shiny things we see on social media. Kate Strickler is the author of I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen. She’s also the creator behind the extremely popular blog and Instagram account, Naptime Kitchen.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How we can pursue joy in our current circumstances
- Some simple mindset shifts we can put into practice today
- How to see our “stuff” as a tool to offer belonging
- And more!
Comparison can easily creep into our hearts. I hope you will be just as encouraged and inspired by this conversation as I was!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Connect with Kate on her website, Instagram, or Facebook
- [BOOK] I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy
- [BOOK] No More Perfect Moms
- As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks.
My Key Takeaways:
1) Recognize how social media leads us to unhealthy comparisons. There’s nothing wrong with consuming social media, but it’s important to recognize that it’s capable of generating discontentment in our lives. Our house isn’t as big as theirs, our home is messier, if only we could upgrade to a house that had a garage, or a bigger yard, or a fancier kitchen. All of these thoughts lead us to believe that what we have is not enough. We need to recognize that social media is a curated view of someone’s life. It contains all of the “good” and none of the bad. It isn’t reality.
2) Don’t let the decisions of others shift the measurement of what matters. Does this sound familiar to you? If only I had (the nicer car/better house/fancy article of clothing), then I would be happy. More than likely, when you got that thing you had to have, it didn’t bring lasting happiness or contentment with it. This is the trap of the “shifting goal.” There is always something more to strive for or someone else who appears to have it better. Instead of longing for the next best thing, pause to consider all the blessings you have been given so far. Find rest and contentment in the goals you have already achieved.
3) Curate a home that serves your family. If you were to actually look into the homes of those you aspire to shape your own house after, you might be surprised by how lived-in and “normal” they appear. Some aesthetics may look picture-perfect on social media, but they don’t actually serve your family or your home. In fact, they often create extra work just to keep up appearances. Take this as your sign: skip buying anything that requires constant upkeep just to stay “pretty.” Instead, craft your home in such a way that it helps your family function better.
About Kate:
Kate Strickler is an author, writer, blogger, and mom to four rambunctious kiddos. She’s the creator behind the extremely popular blog and Instagram, Naptime Kitchen. From the mundane moments to deeper reflections, Kate shares the day-to-day challenges of being a mom, how to bring joy to your routine, and keep up with the overwhelming tasks of feeding a family and keeping a home.
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