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Have you ever heard the saying . . .
The Grass is Greener on the other Side?
The saying “the grass is always greener on the other side” is a proverb that expresses the human tendency to idealize what we don’t have and believe it’s better than what we currently possess.
With Spring on its way, I hear the hum of lawn mowers and the roar of the leaf blowers . . . my neighborhood seems to adore the leaf blower, anyone else?
But without a doubt, the grass is greener in Plano.
(I stained this swing with homemade walnut stain, made from walnuts in Bob Woodruff park – you can find the wood swing here)
Although it’s safe to argue the grass is greener where you are too.
I believe it to be both literal AND figurative.
Here’s why:
- Literal
We let nature do its thing. We let the leaves from our mature oak trees fall allowing them to be a home for beneficial insects over the Winter and giving the base of our hedges, plants, rose trees, rose shrubs and herbs some solid protection during the cold snaps.
Keep in mind, that we do understand leaves are a nuanced matter. They can create slippery areas in some homes or become too thickly piled on.
We feed our lawn magnesium from epsom salts, crushed egg shells, wood ash, banana peel water, “weed fertilizer”, coffee and bone meal. All made from our own kitchen. Truly embracing the process.
FYI, just pull your plants aka weeds from the root. Place in a bucket then fill with water and let steep for 1 – 2 weeks. This will make you a weed tea. Here is the bucket that I use that comes with a lid, perfect for steeping your tea.
Every year, we have a full yard of green grass without the need for the noise of a leaf blower OR toxic chemical companies spraying our lawns. Ebbing and flowing with our natural environment. And combatting the spraying that the local and national govt takes part in overhead. Yes, Plano lovesssss to spray for mosquitoes. And our neighbors LOVEEEE companies like Tru Green & RoundUp that cause so much harm to the ecosystem, their children and our pets. =(
I am no greenie but I am a simple, nature loving person that believes in doing our best to live in harmony with the environment. It’s easier and cheaper. It is always interesting to hear the same neighbors that blow away every leaf in October, then spray their yards with chemicals, ask why their yard is not doing well. 😀 Silly goose everywhere.
I swear that if we got rid of fast food drive-thrus and lawn chemical companies, so many problems would disappear. Is that such a crazy idea?
2. Figurative
a. We often focus on the perceived advantages of what we don’t have, neglecting or downplaying the advantages of what we already do have. This is because the unknown often holds a sense of mystery and potential that the familiar lacks. Growing up in nature and the beach leaves me aching for ocean scenes and winding roads. Instead, here in Plano, I lean into the lakes, flowing creeks and nature surrounding me. In my part of Plano, I feel lucky to not be cluttered by shops and strip malls. I seek out the things I love near me and put that playlist on repeat.
b. Comparison: Humans are naturally prone to comparing ourselves to others. When we see someone with something we desire – a seemingly perfect job, a larger house, or a more exciting life – we might focus solely on that specific aspect, overlooking the challenges and disadvantages they might be facing that we are unaware of.
Getting to the point that I don’t think about others journeys is a freedom unto itself. We both grew up in households that lived well below their means and as a married couple, we continue to live that way. Discovering that many do not, well, I couldn’t sleep at night if I had debt. But that’s their journey and their choices. Finding pleasure in the slow and intentional life beats eating out at the latest restaurants and renting the biggest cabins in Beaver’s Bend any day. (P.S. if you haven’t been to Beaver’s Bend and you like to hike, its a must visit).
c. Unsatisfaction: The saying often stems from dissatisfaction with our current situation. When we are unhappy with aspects of our lives, we’re more likely to fantasize about alternatives, believing that they would magically solve our problems and bring us happiness. We find satisfaction in the ordinary. We garden, grow herbs, vegetables, we take our dogs on the same walks under the pine trees and find ourselves on familiar hikes through Bob Woodruff, Oak Point and Breckenridge Park. The ordinary is our satisfying.
However, it’s important to remember that every situation has its own unique set of challenges and advantages.
Here are some alternative perspectives that we brought into our lives:
- Appreciating what we have: Focusing on gratitude for the positive aspects of our life can help cultivate contentment and prevent unnecessary yearning.
- Focusing on our walkable and bikeable surroundings: Instead of looking for external entertainment and convenience, investing in own surrounding and building into my home economy can be a more sustainable and fulfilling path towards happiness. A productive home economy in Plano is where my heart and soul are these days.
- Realistic expectations: Recognizing that no situation is perfect and I put my attention on developing realistic expectations and blooming where we are planted.
Ultimately, the “greener grass” often signifies an idealized version of reality. By practicing gratitude, focusing on my personal surroundings, and maintaining realistic expectations, I’ve been able to cultivate a sense of contentment and avoid falling prey to the illusion of the “greener grass.”
We don’t worry about luxury Chanel bags and cars but rather gardens, homemade dinners, investing in health products like baja sea salt and tallow from the butcher shop and biking to the local farm stores.
For this time, the grass is greener in Plano and we’ve intentionally made it that way 😍
P.S. thankful for the bugs
