Do you feel satisfied with your life? Do you constantly feel that something is missing from your life? Do you find yourself chasing the wind instead of enjoying the current situations of life?
The idea of grass-is-greener syndrome is that the person is always looking for something better that they are missing out on. So instead of experiencing stability, security, and sanctification in the present situation, think and feel that there is more and better elsewhere, and anything less than ideal won’t do. It is not a psychological disorder. However, it can affect your mental peace and contribute to anxiety, depression, relationship issues, sleep issues, and distress.
The truth is that the grass is almost never greener on the other side.
Parenting and different environmental factors could contribute to the grass-greener syndrome. A child with overbearing parents who constantly expect the child to be perfect is more likely to develop grass-greener syndrome. Childhood trauma and experiences of rejection and neglect can cause the syndrome in the later stages of life. Experiencing poverty at a young age can shape a person to think that enough is never enough. This shows the insecurity in every aspect of life and the constant need to fulfill it in order to feel secure.
The symptoms of grass
Perfectionism: finding fault with life and others involved in your life.
Preoccupied with the future: constantly thinking about different things to make the situation better and struggling to acknowledge the present circumstances. This often leads to disappointment.
Commitment issue: Individuals suffering from this syndrome find it difficult to commit because they believe that there is always someone better and keep jumping from one person to another.
Impulsive: acting and easily giving into the impulses, for example, seeing an advertisement for a new upgraded gadget, and the initial thought is to buy, thinking that product will improve the quality of life.
Comparison: Keen on comparing oneself with others, acknowledge what they don’t have, and focus on what to do about it. They make themselves miserable by comparing themselves with others.
Escapism: Coping by running away from the situation or fantasizing. Impulsively leaving the situation and trying to start fresh.
Being ungrateful: difficulty in acknowledging and being grateful for things in life.
What can you do about the syndrome?
- Identify the causal factor: Did your parents or guardian always complain and tell you, “You are not good enough”? Think about your core beliefs and how they have shaped your thinking and feelings.
- Learn to rationalize your irrational thoughts: Always challenge your irrational or distorted thinking.
- Gratitude: Try to be grateful for the little things in life because there is always something in life to be grateful for.
- Counseling: Talk therapy can help you identify your issues while working with the counselor and learn new skills and strategies to overcome them.
- Stop self-pity: Try to stop the addiction of pitying or feeling bad for yourself. It is essential to do a reality check on the situations you are facing.
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