Holidays are a time to relax, kick back and reflect on life, love, and relationships, plan with your partner for the future, play with your children, and come home feeling refreshed and ready again to face up to the daily grind. Do you like Coping with Holiday Jealousy?
Coping With Holiday Jealousy:
However, there is an element to going on holiday that is as unsavory as it is a recipe for dissatisfaction and disaster. Holiday envy, or jealousy of others, is as prevalent as car envy, house envy. And general lifestyle envy which is an unfortunate part of modern society. The accessibility of holidays, thanks to the rise in budget airlines and the competitiveness of travel companies, and hotels, and even the recent rise in internet and email campaigns to provide exclusive access to luxury breaks have created a juxtaposition between perceived cost-savings and higher expectations of standards and destinations.
Foreign holidays and even domestic vacationing are now beyond the means of many, as reinforced by news of recession, job losses, and the need to economize. The realities of affordability as opposed to the ‘in your face’ marketing, the excesses of the ‘haves’ versus the aspirations of the ‘have-nots’, can breed a dangerous culture of envy and jealousy. However, it IS possible to have a good holiday and to be satisfied with what you have by taking a realistic view of what makes a person happy.
Budget Travel Embracing The Joy Of Living Within Your Means:
Living within your means can be satisfying. Debt is a real worry-maker and the fulfillment felt by seeking out a bargain is immense. Spend time looking for a destination that is within your means and don’t be afraid to do something differently. Try self-catering instead of hotels. You will save on the cost of accommodation as well as at mealtime, by preparing your meals instead of eating out all the time. You can also enjoy the experience of local produce shopping and trying new things to cook.
Prioritize Real Connections Over Material Comparisons:
Talk to the person beyond the exterior. Rather than focusing on your friends’ big house, expensive sunglasses/bags/clothes/shoes, and the fact that they holiday in luxury hotels. Talk to them about what makes them – and you – tick. Of course, some will only want to relate at a surface level. But perhaps these people are not real friends and are certainly not for comparing yourself and your family to.
Value Time with Loved Ones Over Luxury:
The company of your family and friends is more important than any fancy holiday destination, or expensive meals out. Staying somewhere that allows you to relax and enjoy being with loved ones is priceless.
Consider A Volunteering Vacation For Personal Fulfillment:
Try a volunteering break. This one might not be for all, but the personal reward felt by helping others is unsurpassed. Many organizations will allow you to live simply and help out with such activities as building wells, school buildings, irrigation systems. And generally helping out communities affected by disaster and poverty. This will put your own relatively comfortable life into perspective.
Exploring Therapy For Insecurities And Jealousy:
Therapy for overcoming feelings of inadequacy and insecurities could be the answer – jealousy is generally a result of these feelings rather than a real want or need for the things you think you are envious of.
Appreciating Life’s Simple Pleasures:
The economic crash has certainly had an effect on our lifestyles, and, regrettably, our aspirations often outweigh our means, but it is very important to remember that there is a gratification to be had in the simple pleasures of life if the time is taken to reflect and enjoy them, rather than largely focusing on wanting more.
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