Hello, beautiful people.
Welcome to Radio Headspace.
I'm your host, Dora Kamau.
Have you ever noticed that it's easy to feel sympathy or compassion for someone when they're struggling?
But to feel genuinely joyful for others when things are going well for them, maybe that takes a little extra effort.
The other night, I went out to dinner with friends and we were catching up, sharing what's been happening in our lives.
And as the evening went on, the conversation turned to engagements and weddings and kids.
One friend was sharing about their upcoming wedding plans.
Another was showing photos of their newborn baby.
And I was just sitting there, recently in a new relationship,
genuinely happy for them, but also feeling this air of tightness starting to build in my chest.
This little voice whispered, why am I not there yet?
Should I be further along?
On the drive home, I noticed I was feeling a little bit envious.
And then of course came that second wave, the shame.
The feeling of, I shouldn't feel this way.
What's wrong with me?
I should just be happy for them.
But here's what I kept reminding myself on that drive.
I am on my own journey.