The Grass is Not Always Greener on the Other Side

Summary

The article suggests that true happiness lies in simplicity, balance, and community rather than the pursuit of material wealth and luxury as often portrayed on social media, drawing examples from the happy and balanced lifestyles of Nordic countries.

Abstract

The article "The Grass is Not Always Greener on the Other Side" delves into the illusion of happiness created by the glamorous lifestyles of influencers and bloggers on social media. It questions the sustainability of happiness derived from material possessions, suggesting that the constant desire for more can lead to dissatisfaction and debt. The happiest people, it argues, are those who live simply and value time with loved ones, as seen in Nordic countries like Finland, Iceland, and Denmark. These countries prioritize work-life balance, shorter workweeks, and more vacations, which contributes to their high levels of life satisfaction. The article emphasizes the importance of spending quality time with friends and family, engaging in physical activities like cycling, and appreciating nature for mental and physical well-being. It concludes that adopting a mindset of gratitude for the 'smaller things' in life can lead to lasting happiness.

Opinions

The pursuit of a luxurious lifestyle often shown on social media can lead to an insatiable desire for more, resulting in debt and dissatisfaction.
The happiest people are those who find joy in simplicity and prioritize relationships over material possessions.
Nordic countries exemplify a healthy lifestyle through their approach to work and leisure, with shorter workweeks and more vacations contributing to their happiness.
Quality time with friends and family is crucial for a healthy mindset and overall happiness.
Engaging in physical activities like cycling and spending time in nature are beneficial for both mental and physical health.
The article criticizes the American lifestyle that glorifies overworking and suggests that balance, as practiced in Nordic societies, is necessary for a clear mind and better life decisions.
It encourages a shift in perspective towards appreciating what one has, suggesting that this mindset can lead to a more fulfilling life.

The Grass is Not Always Greener on the Other Side

It’s so easy to get lost scrolling through social media and become envious of the picture-perfect lifestyle that you see from many bloggers and influencers. They always show off their best styles, cars, and trips. It seems they are always glowing and happy. What problems could they ever face when they have everything they could ever want at their fingertips? Everyone strives for the American dream to achieve the upper-middle-class successful lifestyle but does having everything you ever want really make you happy?

You might feel happy for a moment enjoying all of your new toys. However, the desire can become insatiable as many times these people have to work twice as hard or take out loans they could never pay back to have an appearance of luxury. These people are probably in debt somehow or probably sold their souls to get massive brand deals that pay for new toys.

To each his own, but the luster usually wears off after a while of trying out that new gadget. You crave more and more and become never satisfied trying to impress the neighbors you don’t even really like. This type of lifestyle can only really grow tiring on the soul. However, statistics show that the happiest people in life are those who live in simplicity.

What can we possibly learn from the happiest people in the world? Taking a look at their mindset and customs could probably shed light on something they’re doing right. Your overall mood, health, and outlook on life could possibly overall improve.

The Nordic countries like Finland, Iceland, and Denmark are ahead in the lead as the happiest countries in the world for the past few years. The way they approach work and social life has a lot to do with their level of life satisfaction. They have shorter workweeks and take more vacations giving them the sense of freedom and relaxation that we don’t get as we pile on long 40 hour work weeks and celebrate burnout as if it is a badge of honor. God even rested on the seventh day. A life of balance is necessary to have a clear mind to make life decisions that make you happier overall.

Some healthy life decisions in life revolve your time around friends and family. Science proves that a healthy mindset goes with spending more quality time with friends and family. When you build trust and community with your loved ones you feel stronger and more confident to take on your goals because you have a team of people who support you.

Among spending time with family, is the Nordics' choice of transportation. Many forgo cars for bicycles as a healthy alternative route. Not only is this good for your heart health but you also get to spend more time in nature, which is good for your mental health. According to the APA, From going on a stroll through a city park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness, exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation. These sound like a host of great health benefits if you ask me. No wonder these countries are so happy.

There is nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while. A good cruise, couples trip, or getaway abroad with the girls is always a much-needed reward for the busy lifestyle we support here in the States. However, keeping up with the Jones gets tiring and not everyone can afford to live that kind of lifestyle. Social media can be misleading to the lifestyle that an average person has and we shouldn’t feel bad or defeated if we don’t live that way. Taking on a mindset of gratitude and appreciation for the smaller things in life like the happiest countries in the world can give you a lifetime of happiness and you spend it with the ones you love. I think that’s far more valuable than looking at fields of greener grass in far-off lands when you have it pretty good where you are. If you’re careful to search your soul you might find that the cliche home is where the heart is might hold some truth to it as life is what you make of it in the end.

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