Stop scrolling and start showing up: finding joy beyond comparison

episode #9 · solo

I recorded this one fresh off a run, sweaty, no fake tan, straight from my personal journal. It's more faith-forward than usual, because real wellness is mental, spiritual and physical, all working together.

If you're not a Christian girly, stay with me. I think this one will still meet you right where you are.

It's all about the thing quietly stealing our joy: comparison. And what happens when we put the phone down and show up for the people right in front of us.

the verse on my heart

"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot." Proverbs 14:30.

I've been doing a lot of things lately that don't look flashy online. Eating lunch at my grandparents'. Having tea with a sweet elderly lady who is so full of wisdom. I'm not on a yacht or a brand trip in Europe, and I didn't realize how much that comparison was getting to me until the Lord opened my eyes to it.

I was letting comparison steal some of my joy. I think a lot of us are in that same boat.

known by the world, invisible to our community

Eric Church spoke at UNC's graduation about how our generation wants to be known by the whole world but invisible to our community. Famous online, but not belonging to anyone.

Wanting to grow a platform isn't bad. But if that's all there is, it leaves you lonely. Some of my sweetest moments lately have been sitting on the couch catching up with friends, stuff that wouldn't look impressive online at all, and it filled my soul up like nothing else.

create more than you consume

I love social media. But my mindset now is to create more than I consume: live my own life to the fullest and share from it, instead of scrolling and letting envy creep in.

And if social media is robbing you of joy, take a little detox. Check yourself. There is so much in your life to be grateful for that you might be overlooking because you're wishing for more.

be a blessing in any season

Maybe your season feels slow, stagnant or uncertain. Mine does right now. I'm in an in-between, unknown season, and it's been uncomfortable not having an impressive answer when people ask where I'm living.

But you can be a blessing in any season. It just takes action. Send the text. Send the invite. Plan the walk, plan the dinner.

Who cares what looks good on social media? I think there is so much joy to be found in the things that don't look flashy.

try this this week

• Journal on this: is envy or jealousy creeping into your life, probably through social media? Is it stealing your joy?
• Do one un-Instagrammable thing: lunch with your grandma, tea with someone wise, or sitting in a field looking at the sky.
• Send the text, the invite, the "let's get dinner" to someone today.

Be where your feet are. You'll feel so much more alive present with the people around you than checked out on your phone, comparing yourself to someone you probably don't even know. I pray this met you exactly where you're at.

love you, Georgia 🤍