7 reasons and ways to stop comparing your life with others

The act of comparison can yield both benefits and drawbacks. While it can motivate personal growth, it can also trigger emotions such as anxiety, envy, and an unquenchable desire to attain an unattainable standard. In the present technologically advanced age, where social media continually showcases the achievements and seemingly flawless lives of others, the inclination to engage in comparisons has reached unparalleled heights. In this article, we explore the rationales behind and the strategies to abstain from comparing one’s own life with that of others, offering seven compelling justifications and practical remedies.

We, the gen z, usually end up using social media as if we can’t breathe without it. Like the oxygen we breathe, without keeping the track of actual number of breath-ins and breath-outs, we forget to keep the track of an average number of times we open and scroll through unnecessary sack of almost false intellects and not-so-real side of random peoples’ lives. Who are we fooling? Ourselves? Knowingly? Why?

Reasons to Stop Comparing:

1. It Undermines Your Self-Worth:

Constantly evaluating your worth in relation to others can diminish your self-confidence. When you fixate on your deficiencies or how you fall short, you disregard your distinct attributes and abilities. Resolution: Foster self-empathy by acknowledging and commemorating your accomplishments and personal development. For eg. You’re a creative soul, always playing and experimenting with things that many highly successful people might not have even tried. You excel in areas where they might fall short, setting a unique standard for yourself that not everyone can achieve. By comparing your skill to somebody’s highly-paying job, you are condemning your ability to create and think creatively. Cherish it before it is too late!

2. It Creates Unnecessary Stress:

Comparing oneself to others can generate uncalled for yet considerable stress and unease. The burden of conforming to external norms can result in exhaustion and emotional tension. Resolution: Embrace mindfulness and concentrate on one’s own objectives and well-being. For eg. you know the real picture of your life and how strongly you have been keeping it all inside you. You have seen and fought it all and sustaining yourself through a hardship that someone who you are comparing your life with, has never seen it at all. They may know how to enjoy life but only you know how to face the battles of life and trust me, it is always going to be the bigger picture. There is a huge difference. Embrace yourself for taking care of your well-being.

3. It’s an Unfair Comparison:

You are evaluating your internal conflicts and uncertainties in relation to the external presentations of others. Remember, nobody’s life is as flawless as it appears on social media. Almost half of the people across social media are trying to be someone they are not. Or using social media as a medium to escape from reality. Your comparison is always going to make you upset for no apparent reason and it will be totally unfair to you, isn’t it? Resolution: Cultivate a critical outlook on what you observe and bear in mind that people selectively share.

4. It Hinders Personal Growth:

When you constantly observe the actions of others, you may lose sight of your own ambitions and wishes. That simply means, every time when you are checking somebody’s profile, envying their profile and what they share across the internet, you are spending your time and money over them and that too is something which is not going to motivate or benefit you in any way. Or is it? Resolution: Focus on your personal aspirations and take action to accomplish them instead of imitating another individual’s path. You may opt for taking a good walk or feeding a stray instead of observing people. If you really want to observe, that observation should always end up as an inspiration to you to be doing what they have done and make your version of yourself even clearer rather than observing somebody that makes you feel sick of yourself or complaining about your life.

5. It Can Strain Relationships:

Comparing oneself to others can lead to envy and strained connections. It becomes challenging to genuinely celebrate the achievements of others when you are consumed by comparison. Resolution: Practice gratitude and sincerely support others in their accomplishments. Do not forget to count your blessings, keeping track of your small achievements in front of someone’s bigger achievement.

6. It Impedes Happiness:

Comparing oneself to others often results in discontentment. It is difficult to find happiness when your perspective is rooted in what you lack. Resolution: Embrace gratitude and recognize the positives in your life. For eg. Avoiding social gatherings because you are not confident enough in terms of appearance and body image is hindering your happiness. This must be the result of you consciously or subconsciously constantly comparing your body with someone else’ and in this process, you forget to appreciate the human being that you are, the kindness and bravery that you have despite life’s harsh challenges. Keep reminding yourself that you have all the reasons to be brighter and happier every day!

7. It’s a Never-Ending Cycle:

The comparison game has no finish line. There will always be someone doing better in some aspect of life. There will always be a step left, a mile to achieve, a place to visit, and a dream to fulfill and there will always be someone who’s done all of it before you. So what? Solution: Stop overthinking; stop overlooking your priorities and capabilities. Set your standards and measure your success by your own values, not someone else’s. If you can’t change the game, change the rules of the game. If you really want to play the comparison game with someone, let that someone be you, the older you, the wiser you, the version of you who’s come so far by choosing to fight every day because waking up and leaving your real version at home to pretend to be someone you are not everyday is not a piece of cake. Compare yourself with what and how you used to be and how many times you have conquered things you did not imagine you’d be able to. You might realize how much potential you have when you look back at times you were unsure of where you started.

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