There’s an old saying that goes “The grass is always greener on the other side.” For me, as a mom, the phrase could not have been more spot-on. I was always longing for what other moms had or what I saw in magazines and social media.

The green-eyed monster had overtaken me and I couldn’t see straight. I had to come to terms with my envy and learn to be grateful for what I had.

Comparing my life to the lives of others

As a mom, I always felt pressure to excel in all areas of my children’s lives. I had to be the best mom out there, and I felt like my every move was under scrutiny.

When I saw other moms with seemingly perfect lives, I couldn’t help but think they had it easier than me. I compared my life to theirs and always found myself lacking.

I was looking at what they had accomplished, the fancy vacations they went on, and the material possessions they had in their homes. I failed to realize that those things didn’t create an ideal life.

They were just things that I thought I should aspire to. My jealousy blinded me to the fact that those moms had the same issues that I did. They had their own struggles and imperfections.

Feeling envious of my friends

One of the hardest things about being jealous is that it usually occurs with those closest to you. I had a group of mom friends that I loved dearly, but I always felt a pang of envy when I heard about their successes.

One mom seemed to have it all together. She was always on time, had a perfectly organized home, and her kids were always impeccably dressed. I felt like she must have been a superhuman because I could barely get my kids out of the door on time.

Another mom was always jetting off to exotic locations with her family, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was a failure for not being able to do the same for my family.

I saw all the incredible things she did, and I felt like I could never compete.

The Impact on My Mental Health

My jealousy started to take a toll on my mental health. I was always dwelling on what I didn’t have, instead of focusing on what was right in front of me. I felt like I was failing as a mom because my life didn’t look like what I saw on Instagram.

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I was becoming anxious and unhappy, which began to affect my children. They picked up on my negative attitude and started to become less joyful as well. It was a vicious cycle, and I knew that I needed to break free from it.

Learning to Overcome Envy

The process of overcoming envy began with being grateful for what I had. Instead of focusing on what I didn’t have, I started counting my blessings. I realized that I had a lot to be thankful for.

It might not have been what other moms had, but it was enough for me.

I also learned to celebrate the successes of my friends. Instead of feeling envious, I congratulated them and offered help whenever they needed it. I realized that we could all learn from each other, and that by lifting each other up, we all benefited.

I also started to put things into perspective. I compared my life to those who had less, which made me realize how fortunate I was. I had family, friends, and a home, which meant that I had everything that truly mattered.

The Positive Impact on My Life

Overcoming envy has had a positive impact on my life. I’m no longer dwelling on what I don’t have, and instead am focusing on the present. I’m enjoying the time I have with my children, and I’m no longer worried about what other moms are doing.

The relationship I have with my friends has also improved. We’re able to celebrate each other’s successes without any jealousy, and we’re able to lean on each other when times are tough.

Our relationships are now based on trust and support, which has made all the difference.

Conclusion

Envy is a powerful emotion, and it’s one that can consume us if we let it. As moms, we often find ourselves comparing our lives to others, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy.

However, by focusing on what we have and cultivating relationships based on support and love, we can overcome our envy and find happiness in the present.