The Dangers of Comparison: Four Reasons Why You Should Stop Comparing Yourself
When I started this blog I vowed to myself to talk about things that I’ve struggled with, overcome and unashamedly struggled with again. One thing I battle with, like so many of you potentially reading this, is comparing myself to my peers. We all have some form of social media that keeps us connected to our friends, past classmates and associates by means of Facebook announcements, IG pics showing #CouplesGoals, and Snaps of people on exotic vacations.
Of course there’s nothing new under the sun, so generations long before the era of social media dealt with the dangers of chronic comparison, jealousy and covetousness. It seems the evidence of someone seemingly having a better life than yours is always at your fingertips nowadays. This is an ongoing struggle for those of us who are hard on ourselves and fall victim to comparing ourselves to what we believe is our social media equal (someone close to your age, your same educational level, similar backgrounds, etc.) You will find yourself thinking, “I wish I had a relationship like them.” “I would love to go on vacations like that.” “I wish I had her abs, boobs, and butt.” But alas! You have no idea how many arguments and tears are behind the happy couples’ Instagram pictures. You don’t know how hard someone worked to make the money to go on that dream vacation. You weren’t there to see the sweat pour down that woman’s brow while she was in the gym working towards her ideal body.
Let me go through 4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Fall For the Dangers of Comparison.
Every Path is Different
There's so many different ways to get to one destination. Just because you take an alternate route doesn't make you right or wrong, it's simply your unique path. Stay steady on the road that's ahead of you. Looking to your right, left and behind you will deter you. Wandering eyes may lead to accidents. Stay the course. One person's route may be more scenic, another person's route may be faster and both people may be jealous of the other.
It’s a Mirage
A mirage can be defined as an optical illusion, a fantasy, or a vision. I see some idealistic social media posts as mirages- you see them, you aspire to be like them-- but it may just be an idealistic fantasy cloaked in filters, edits and strategic personal branding. Never compare yourself to some image that could very well be a mirage. We all are branding ourselves on social media to be the best representation we want to portray to the world. Don't depress yourself by comparing yourself to someone's fantasy representation.
Highlight Reels vs. Bloopers/ Behind the Scenes Footage
In the journalism field we create reels that showcase excerpts of our best work. You will never see a journalist, actor, nor actress post their embarrassing bloopers nor footage showing where they weren't at their best. Social media is filled with highlight reels and we are all constantly comparing ourselves to a facade of people's lives that omits their struggles and the hard times that led to the glorious moments. We are all human. No one's life is as glamorous as it seems on the outside. We all have skeletons in our closets and behind the scenes footage we would only share with our closest confidantes.
Someone is Watching You Too
No matter how low you are feeling after comparing yourself to someone you think is seemingly doing better than you in life-- trust and believe someone out there is comparing themselves to you. Everyone always wants what they don't have and there's something or some priceless quality you possess that someone else wishes they had.
You are special and unique and there's no other person on the face of this planet that is just like you. Stand firm in knowing that you are incredibly remarkable and that your distinctive path is unlike anyone else's.
