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Keeping Up with the Jones

By Christy 11 Comments

Life has it’s challenges. Either you’re broke, or you’re making a decent buck. You “upgrade” as you move along in life. But what do you sacrifice?


Recently, over the past several years in fact, I’ve realized that you sacrifice quite a bit while you strive to move ahead. Is it worth it? Is keeping up with the Jones really all it’s cracked up to be? Is the bigger ring, the nicer car, the beautiful house really worth it? And by worth it, I mean, the sacrifices you make while keeping up. You spend more hours, more money, trying to be the best you can be. 

But do you forget who you are while you’re on the path to success? I remember a time in the not so distant past when B and I were broke. As in, where would we come up with our next meal broke. But at that time, we always headed to the grocery store together, as a family, list in hand and babies in tow. We stuck to the budget and we certainly didn’t starve. And our shopping trips were fun. They were to me anyway. It was family time that I miss. 

Now I grocery shop alone, or I send him, without regard of spending or budgets. We’re doing well. And we’re doing it alone, separately. 

These days, I have a bigger ring, I have a nicer car, I have a fabulous condo. I live a lonely life. My marriage isn’t a huge success right now. It hasn’t been for some time. There is still love there, and we’ll stay together, but I miss being in love. I miss my little ring. I miss our broke trips to the grocery store. I miss watching the babies get excited that we can go to McDonald’s because that’s just not something that’s in the budget so the rare treat is like going to Disneyland. 

I miss my devoted husband that I didn’t forget in my path, or his, to success, but that I put on the back burner more than I care to admit. As did he with me. I miss a lot actually. You don’t have to lose everything on your journey to success. Success is an awesome thing and I’m glad we’re there. I’m just sorry that we’re weak and lost our family values. 

So tonight, I did something trivial in most minds I guess. I swapped my big ring for my little one. I want to get back to basics and be me again. I can succeed and still be me. Who needs the big ring? Who needs to keep up with the Jones? Who are the Jones anyway? We’re the Gossetts and I’m just going to own that from now on. 

We’ll be OK. We’ll be successful. We’ll be happy.

Filed Under: Disappointments, Family, Life, marriage

About Christy

Christy Gossett, managing editor of SoFabFood and creator of the healthy living blog, Insanity Is Not An Option, is a WAHM of 4 kids ranging in age from 29 to 10. She enjoys sharing her heart-healthy, low sodium recipes to help others with dietary restrictions enjoy a flavorful life while maintaining a healthy diet.

Comments

  1. melissa weintraub says

    June 8, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    You will be okay- you will be more than okay actually!! I love your attitude and wish more people who go through any type of problems, realize that family triumphs:) Great post. Thanks for sharing Christy.

    Reply
  2. JanetGoingCrazy says

    June 9, 2013 at 5:03 am

    This makes me cry and smile all at the same time. I love you, friend. XOXO

    Reply
  3. clgossett says

    June 9, 2013 at 5:26 am

    We all have problems right? It’s not the problems that define us. It’s how we deal with them. Thanks Mel!

    Reply
  4. clgossett says

    June 9, 2013 at 5:26 am

    I’m always sending you hugs too. 🙂

    Reply
  5. clgossett says

    June 9, 2013 at 5:27 am

    I love you too my friend. Now get your butt to Galveston so we can hang out again. STAT!

    Reply
  6. JanetGoingCrazy says

    June 9, 2013 at 6:40 am

    We used to spend every Father’s Day there. Maybe soon!!

    Reply
  7. Melissa Lawler says

    June 9, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    I know you are! Let me know if you need to talk. I am always here for you. <3

    Reply
  8. BrandiJeter says

    June 10, 2013 at 7:48 am

    You’re taking a great big old first step by swapping that ring out. As long as you two can get back to remembering the WHY, you’ll be okay. Hugs and love to you, Christy!

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    June 10, 2013 at 3:35 pm

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  10. Melissa Rheinlander says

    June 11, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    It is way too hard to keep up with the Jones’… I think we all need reminders sometimes that we just need to keep up with our own little world. Knowing you everything will be just fine! {I admire the way you look at life, people, and just the reality of every situation}

    Reply
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    June 12, 2013 at 10:01 pm

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Hey y'all! I'm Christy and I'm glad you could stop by. Have a seat, grab a drink or a straight jacket, and join me as I share heart-healthy recipes, stories and life lessons about my insanely large family, and whatever else pops into my hot mess of a mind! Read More…

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