The phrase "keeping up with the Joneses" has become a popular way of describing how we feel as people. How do you know you're keeping up with them? Typically, it comes down to material possessions and how we portray our lives to those around us. We compare ourselves to others in an effort to feel more accepted. It’s natural because we want people to like us and think highly of us. But, is that the right thing to do or are we selling ourselves short?
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This phrase has become so popular for one reason: it’s catchy and makes us feel affirmations. But, what does it really mean? It means that you’re comparing yourself to others and worrying about your own life less. Eventually, you start to lose your own identity and value in the process. Moreover, people who use this phrase are likely doing so because they feel a social pressure. It’s commonly used in friendship circles, at work, or amongst peers. But, it can also be used by family members, couples, and others. Simply put, this act can cause a lot of damage in the long run. When we compare ourselves to others, we’re likely to feel insecure and inadequate. We may even feel like we don’t have enough as a person.
We can’t let other people’s words define us or our worth as people. Why? Because these words aren’t coming from our core. They’re a product of someone else’s actions. The truth is, your worth is the only thing that is real. You are the only person who has the power to define who you are. Whether you realize it or not, other people’s opinions don’t matter.
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The only opinion that matters is yours. When you start comparing yourself to others, you stop setting your own goals and intentions. You start to fall into other people’s lives instead of your own. Eventually, you may even fall out of love with who you are as a person.
Do you remember in elementary school when the teacher told the kids to “be themselves?” That’s what this phrase is referring to. If you truly want to keep up with the Joneses, then be a good person. Be kind and respectful. Be the person you want to be. When you’re being a good person, you’re setting yourself apart from the rest of the pack. You’re making an impact with your words and your actions. You’re being who you want to be. When you focus on being a good person, you’ll naturally be more inclined to keep up with your own life. You won’t be worried about what others are doing or what they have because they’re the only people who matter.
We’ve all been in a situation where someone uses this phrase and we feel pressure to respond in a certain way. It might be at work, a friend’s party, or in a public setting. You might even catch yourself using it in your own life. If you want to break the habit of keeping up with the Joneses, you need to take a step back and start by examining your motives for keeping track of your “Joneses.”
Is it out of insecurity or is it the desire to feel included? If the latter is true, you need to stop and ask yourself if you really want to keep track of your "Joneses" . In order to keep track of your "Joneses," you need to keep track of the Joneses themselves. What does that mean? It means that you need to keep track of what you have and how much it is. It means that you need to keep track of your budget.
Keeping up with the Joneses is an expression that is commonly used to describe the desire to be like others. Eventually, this desire can lead to feelings of insecurity and a lack of self-worth. However, this phrase doesn’t necessarily need to be used. A better alternative is to be who you are as a person. Doing so will help you break the cycle of keeping track of the Joneses without feeling the need to keep track of them.
