Compare yourself to others with caution

We’ve all been there before, scrolling through our social media feeds and stumbling upon a photo of someone who appears to have it all figured out.

Their body, job, and life seem perfect, making us wonder why we can’t be more like them. These thoughts can quickly spiral into a dark hole of self-doubt and comparison.

However, comparing ourselves to others does more harm than good to our mindset.

Here’s why:

It fosters negative energy and feelings

When we compare ourselves to others, we are more likely to focus on what we lack rather than what we have. We see all the amazing things that others have accomplished and feel envious and resentful. We ask ourselves, “Why them and not me?” This thought cycle can quickly turn into negative energy that drags us down instead of motivating us.

It sets unrealistic expectations

When we compare ourselves to others, we are often comparing our true selves with their highlight reels. We compare our worst days with their best days, and that’s not fair. No one posts about their struggles or shortcomings on social media (except perhaps a few over-sharers). So when we compare ourselves to what we see on social media, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment because those expectations are not realistic.

It detracts from our own joy

When we compare our lives to others, we often perceive that they come up short. And when that happens, it detracts from our own happiness and satisfaction. Rather than focusing on all the good things in our own lives, we concentrate on what we lack and how unhappy we are as a result. That’s not a healthy way to live.

So, the next time you catch yourself scrolling through social media and comparing your life to someone else’s, pause.

Remember that you’re only seeing their highlight reel—you don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes.

And even if you did, it wouldn’t be fair to compare your worst day to their best day.

So instead of comparing, focus on appreciating all of the great things in your own life. You’ll be much happier as a result!