Stop Trying To Keep Up With The Joneses...They Can’t Even Keep Up With Themselves

I remember a day in Uni. when I was hanging out with a bunch of friends at a house party.

We were all having a great time telling stories, laughing, and listening to music. In the middle of one of our conversations, my phone rang (I happened to have an old school version of the Motorola Razr flip phone). I finished my call and returned to our conversation happily.

Later on, I was alone with one of my female friends that I was at the house party with and she brought up my behaviour when my phone had rung earlier at the party.

She said: "Girl, you're a different type of person. See how you pulled out that phone in front of everybody as if you were proud of it! If it was me, I'd have been ashamed for anyone to see it. Everybody I know has upgraded to a better phone. Your own confidence is something."

I laughed.

I had not thought for a second about not pulling out my phone in public when it rang. A phone I had spent money to buy? A phone I was enjoying? A phone I liked? Not a chance.
I felt that day what I still feel today:

"Cut your coat according to your size at each stage in your life and enjoy it."

Social media and the fear of missing out (FOMO) can incite extra pressure to keep up with lavish standards and trends.

If you can keep up and like the hot trends, kudos to you 😊. If you can't or don't actually like certain trends, don't let FOMO or desperation to 'fit in' land you in unnecessary anxiety or debt.

Remember, "nobody will drink panadol for your headache".