“A dejected looking woman sat in a dark bedroom with her hand on her head, with horizontal strips of light shining on her from a blind, Bloomington” by Xavier Sotomayor on Unsplash
There has been discussion on mental health and depression, and confusion on why successful people would choose to end their lives.
Especially in the case of Anthony Bourdain; it was bewildering to his fans. Why would someone who lived the ideal life — eating exotic foods and travelling around the world — want to take his own life?
The thing is: we don’t know that Bourdain was living his ideal life, nor do we know if Kate Spade was enjoying her life as a fashion designer and socialite of Park Avenue.
The point is: we can proclaim shock and sadness when a person’s perfect life isn’t enough to keep them on the mortal coil, but we have to remind ourselves that their “perfect lives” may only look perfect to the beholder.
We don’t know the demons they have to contend with. They may have the trappings of a fulfilling life, but deep down, they could be suffering. Having millions of fans is no substitute for a true feeling of companionship, and they could be consumed by intense feelings of sadness and loneliness.
So don’t envy anyone. Practice gratitude in your daily life. You may not have what he has or she has, but be thankful for everything you do have in your life.
☀️Don’t envy anyone. Stop pining for that boat or that mansion, and take time to appreciate the freedom of cozying up on the couch with a good book, or waking up beside a loved one every morning.
☀️Don’t envy anyone. It’s okay to have wanderlust, but don’t make it the panacea to your existence. Fulfill that yearning within your own town; take a walk to an unfamiliar neighbourhood or walk into a shop or a restaurant that you’ve never visited. There’s so many things to discover in our own backyard.
☀️Don’t envy anyone. When tragedy befalls those that embody success, stop racking your brain on the why. You may never know why. Mental health is a complex, fragile thing; be sure to not neglect your own. Talk with family and friends. Exercise. Meditate. Seek help if you need it.
If you focus on your house, your own care — your own wealth and mental health — perhaps you will live a life that is the envy of others. And then the cycle can continue when you teach them not envy you, but to cultivate a life worth living.