A few weeks ago I was watching a family YouTube channel. The video was all about what the couple got their kids for Christmas. It was a fun video and the family is just precious. I don't know why but I found myself reading the comments. I never do this because let's be honest the comments section is where discourse goes to die. (Except here. You guys are wonderful!)

The comments that kept popping up were "look at how much money you're wasting" or "your children are so spoiled."

(Note: can we not try to parent other people's kids on the internet or make comments on their parenting decisions? It's getting old.)

Yes. It was a lot of gifts. Way more than what I bought my children. But it's also not a competition.

It is not up to me or anyone else to determine how someone spends their money. Everyone has different incomes levels, budgets and priorities.

1. It's not our money so it's not really our business.

It doesn't matter how I think someone should spend their income, it is THEIR income and far outside the realms of where I should put my mental energy.

2. You never know what goes on behind the scenes.

Whether it's a blog you read, an Instagram feed you follow, or a person you know in real life, you never really know what's going on in someone's life. You don't get a full picture of everything.

Spending money or enjoying spending money on something or someone you love is not a bad thing. Now, when money and belongings become the forefront of all your decisions, then yes, it's time to reprioritize.

3. Consider where judgement comes from

It's important to think about where judgment comes from. Is it from a place of jealousy? Or does it come from needing other's actions to mirror our own to validate us?

This is a lesson I've really had to learn the hard way. I spent so much time comparing what others were doing to what I was doing and wasting so much mental energy when that time could be better spent working in and improving my own life.

What about you? Has this been a struggle for you?

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