We’ve all been there. Seen a neighbour’s shiny new car or a friend’s expensive handbag and felt a hint of jealousy. But why do some feel the need to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ even if they can’t?
A recent survey found that one in five of us would be tempted to buy a new car if our neighbours had, while another study found nearly a third of us wish we had the same lifestyle and material things as our friends.
Here, one writer opens up about how her jealousy ended up costing her a fortune…
'I LONGED TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION I WAS KEEPING UP WITH THE OTHER MUMS'
Amy Nickell-Turner, 33, is a writer and lives in Berkhamsted with her husband Jonathan, 43, and her eightyear-old son Freddy.
It pains me to admit I have lived the bulk of my adult life jealous. Jealousy, envy – one of the seven deadly sins, for crying out loud. I’m a newly married mum-of-one earning a decent living – I bought my first house last year – so why do I feel this way so often?
Things ramped up when my son started nursery a few years ago. Arranging play dates for him opened a new world of what felt like house viewings. At the time, I rented a small cottage, just the two of us, and I was generally about 10 years younger than the other mums. As a single mother, my life felt a million miles away from those of the other parents, but I longed to give the impression I was keeping up. Our understairs cupboard became known as ‘the cemetery’ where we’d throw clutter if anyone came over – often the clothes horse full of drying clothes!
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 14, 2023 من WOMAN - UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 14, 2023 من WOMAN - UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Lizzie's LONG LIST
No one in her family realised just how much she did at Christmas-but things would be different this year
SEX-MAS Is Our favourite season!
Slipping into a party dress and heels and heading out for festive drinks with your other half is always a treat, isn't it?
Life is different - BUT STILL *MAGICAL
After losing two limbs, Sarah de Lagarde cherishes every moment
We have chocolates for BREAKFAS
TV cooking stars John Torode and Lisa Faulkner reveal their blended family Christmas plans and why you should ask guests to bring a plate of food
It's time to CELEBRATE
After a tough few months, Ruth Langsford is ready to embrace her favourite time of year
T'LL BE DRUNK by 11.30am'
Chef and TV personality Gino D'Acampo on how to make Christmas run smoothly, his favourite tipple and why not to worry if it all goes wrong!
'Even the PETS HAVE STOCKINGS'
The star on all things Christmas and why she won't be making a New Year's resolution
LONELY HARRY wants to come home
After six years away, the prince is keen to spend Christmas in the UK, writes royal biographer Emily Andrews
Being blind won't stop me LIVING MY DREAM
When Sassy Wyatt lost her sight, she vowed to have a whole world of adventures
I gave birth to my own GRANDDAUGHTER
Kristi Schmidt was desperate to give her daughter the baby she longed for