Happiness is Personal

Happiness doesn't have to have a big price tag.

You can vacation all over the world, and your discontent, anger, resentment, disappointment, problems, etc., will be vacationing right along with you. 

What's sad is when the only reason you went on vacation was to be like the Joneses or to show Susie how good you're doing.

Why compare yourself to the Joneses in the first place? There may be some messed up stuff going on behind the Joneses smiles.

Susie? She may know more than you think she does and is pitying you or is disgusted because she knows you are fronting and will be borrowing to pay your bills when you return from your vacation, eat at an expensive restaurant, go on a shopping spree, etc.

Why not do what really makes you happy/content: A walk in the park, marathoning episodes of your favorite TV show, curling up with a good book, gardening, painting, strolling on the beach, cooking, eating your favorite foods, sitting quietly, etc.? None of these are big ticket items.

For instance, I love to learn about other cultures. I enjoy Korean dramas. Sometimes, I'll find a really good one and marathon the episodes. No bothers and headaches. Just my recliner, periodic fridge runs, quiet, and my show.  I'm happy/content.

I enjoy finding my family on Ancestry. I can spend an entire day researching and love every minute of it. The finds range from "that's amazing" to "they lived some messy lives". It's fascinating.

Don't allow folk to use what makes them happy/content as a yard stick to judge your happiness. They are not you and don't have the right.

Listen, forget about the Joneses and Susie doesn't care anyway. Find you and do you.