After finishing Jane Green’s book Swapping Lives this weekend, I was struck with the idea that the book portrays: “The grass is always greener on the other side.”

The book tells the story of Vicky Townsley, a single 30-something living in London, longing for the “right man” and the married life. Then there’s Amber Winslow, a 35-year-old mother of two from the Desperate Housewives-esque suburbs of Connecticut. Vicky is features editor of the popular women’s magazine Poise. The magazine decides to send Vicky to the U.S. to swap lives with a married woman to see what it would be like. Well, let’s just say that Amber and Vicky were very surprised (and enlightened) after their swap.

It’s so interesting to think about in my own life at times when I thought the “grass was greener.” I remember how much I wanted a boyfriend, and to be in a relationship, and when that finally happened, it lasted two months and took so much work. It ended up being something that made me think wow, I’d actually rather be single until the right person comes along. Now I can’t help but stop to think about now, about how much I want a job and how unhappy I complain that I am, but meanwhile, you can bet once I do get that job and settle in wherever I end up, I will look back fondly (and almost wish for) the summer days I spent by the pool, writing and developing relationships with my friends and family.

When have you been in a situation where you thought the “grass is greener?”