There is this culture that permeates the States. This view of the world, the idea that life is a competition, a race… a zerosum hierarchy.

It’s so baked in it’s hidden in phrases, in assumptions, in advertising, everywhere. The comparison is rampant. That person has a better job, a bigger car, went on a nicer vacation, has bigger boobs, their kids are more ‘successful’, #winning. Living the dream!

When I’ve been spending time in the States it starts to seep in. The comparison emerges, the anxiety crawls back into the pit in my stomach, the joy starts to drip out of my life.

When I leave again I have to detox to coax the peace and curiosity back into my life.