fbpx

Is the grass really greener on the other side? Maybe…


by Don Smith

All products and services featured on this site are independently selected by our authors and editors. If you buy something through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

It's springtime again. The birds are chirping, everything smells fresh, and it is evident from watching the various animals flirting outside the back window that love is in the air. Looking over my yard, my heart sinks a bit. It seems like a mess, half-rotten leaves everywhere, weeds popping up left and right, and huge patches of brown spots all over.

I look over at my neighbor's yard and shake my head, it always seems more beautiful this time of year. I head to the store, pick up some weed killer and fertilizer, sharpen my mower blades, and get to work.

Is The Grass Really Greener?

Is the neighbor's yard really greener or does it just appear greener? Whether we are talking about relationships, careers, or we are talking about actual grass, the answer is maybe. It may actually be greener on the other side!

grass greener on the other side
Sometimes the grass is actually greener.

Some would say that it merely looks greener because it's fertilized by bullshit. In my experience, while that is sometimes true, often the grass IS actually greener on the other side.

If your relationship, career, or grass is looking a little less green than you would like it to be, then that means you have some work to do!

Selling The House Isn't The Answer

Do we sell our house and buy the neighbor's house because the grass is a bit greener? That's probably a silly question, but it's what many of us do in other areas of our lives. Unless your neighbor sticks around to keep taking care of it, how do you think that grass is going to look in five years?

House for sale - grass is too brown

Why do we think relationships or careers are any different? If your grass, job, or marriage is looking a bit dead or overgrown with weeds, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Don't Compare Your Blooper Reel to Other's Highlight Reel

It is critical to not compare your behind the scenes blooper reel with your neighbor's highlight reel that they post on Facebook as you'll never live up to that fantasy, but you also shouldn't feel like your relationship or career stinks. If it does, you have some work to do.

It is true that in some extreme situations it is best to till everything up or move and start over. It's hard to grow grass on concrete in the desert, so if that's your situation, you may be fighting a losing battle. In most cases it isn't that bleak though, and a bit of hard work pulling weeds and fertilizing your yard will get things looking amazing. The grass may be greener on the other side, but a little water and TLC will usually go a long way to making your own grass green again.

Looking for a few more ideas on how to freshen things up in your relationship? Check out this article: I've fallen out of love with my spouse, how do I find that love and friendship again?

About the Author 

Don Smith

Happily married with five kids, Smith owns a technology company, is the founder of this site, has served on the board of directors for multiple companies, and loves playing soccer, hiking, and mentoring.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

What do you consider to be a failure? And do you know how to deal with failures? For me, failure is directly

Read More
How to Deal with Failures in Your life?

You must DEMAND respect for yourself!  We've all heard this.  Do you know what that statement brings to my mind?  Some cowering

Read More
You Can’t Demand Respect

The other day, a friend of mine who was a new stepparent asked me, “What is the best advice you have for

Read More
Advice for New Stepparents: 3 Tips for Stepmom and Stepdad

Sometimes the solution has nothing to do with the problem. Why? Because the problem is not really the problem. And if the

Read More
The Solution Has Nothing to Do with the Problem

“The other guys at my school don't get it. They don't understand why I would willingly go every Wednesday night for a

Read More
They Don’t Get It: Lessons on Deep Friendships from My High School Group

I am a hoops nut. I have followed the game from the high school level to the NBA for 40 years. About

Read More
Do You Really Want to Know the Power of Relationship Building?

What are some of the most useful things to know in life that I can learn right now in 10 minutes? 1. 

Read More
What can I learn/know right now in 10 minutes that will be useful for the rest of my life?

I was talking with one of my friends this morning at breakfast, and the conversation turned to kids. He shared a story

Read More
It’s Not About The Nail

Scientists have found that trees grown in an artificial environment with little stress in their lives grow fast, but are extremely weak

Read More
Is Stress Good for Us?

For those of you who are participating in our book of the month challenge, this month's book is ScreamFree Marriage:  Growing Up,

Read More
Book of the Month – ScreamFree Marriage: Growing Up, Calming Down, and Getting Closer by Hal Edward Runkel and Jenny Runkel

Lately, life has been chaotic.  Board meetings at night, long work days, 5 kids that need to be everywhere at the same

Read More
Simplify

Last week, one of my best friend's house burnt down around 2AM.  He, his wife, and his three children who were home

Read More
Dad, How Can We Afford to Take in a Family of 6?

SUBSCRIBE

Get new articles and course discounts from leading providers every Friday in your inbox with your free subscription!

>