"قبل از اینکه بخواهید با جُنزها رقابت کنید مطمئن شوید که آنها سعی نمی‌کنند با شما رقابت کنند"

The crux of the idea here is about perception and comparison. Often, we find ourselves caught in the trap of comparing our lives to others, thinking they’re living larger or doing better. But guess what? They might be looking at us and thinking the exact same thing. It’s a bit like a dog chasing its tail—endless and ultimately pointless.

Historically, the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses" has been around for a while, symbolizing the tendency of individuals to compare themselves to their neighbors as a benchmark for social class and the accumulation of material goods. This quote twists that idea and makes you think twice before jumping into that cycle of comparison.

Imagine you’re scrolling through social media, and you see your friend post about their new car. It's shiny, it's red, and it screams success. You start feeling a pang of envy. “Maybe I should get a new car too,” you think. But what you might not know is that your friend saw your post about your vacation last month and felt the same way. They might have even gotten that car to match the lifestyle they believe you’re living. It’s a feedback loop of envy and insecurity.

Let’s break this down with some practical advice. First, cultivate self-awareness. Before you make any big decisions—like buying that car or booking that expensive trip—ask yourself why you want it. Is it because you actually need it or will genuinely enjoy it, or are you trying to match or outdo someone else? Next, practice gratitude. Regularly take a moment to appreciate what you have. It’s not just a cheesy saying—there’s solid psychological research showing that gratitude can significantly boost your happiness.

To put this into a relatable scenario: imagine you’re at a high school reunion. You meet up with your old friend, Jake. Jake is talking about his successful tech startup, and you’re feeling a bit down because you’re “just” working a regular 9-to-5 job. But then Jake pulls you aside and says he’s envious of your stable job and how you seem to have it all figured out. He’s been losing sleep over his unstable income and the pressure of running a business. You realize Jake was trying to keep up with you, just as you were feeling you had to measure up to him.

When you catch yourself in the comparison trap, remind yourself of Jake and that reunion. Everyone’s got their own struggles and insecurities, even if they’re not visible on the surface. The energy you spend trying to match someone else could be better invested in improving your own life in meaningful ways.

In the end, it’s all about perspective. You might think someone else has it all, but they could very well be thinking the same about you. Instead of chasing after someone else’s idea of success, focus on what genuinely makes you happy and fulfilled. That’s the real win.