A friend of mine shared this quote on Facebook last week. I’ve heard it before, but it’s the kind of quote that bears repeating—and sharing—especially today.
Today it’s easier than ever to compare ourselves to others. The internet and social media provide ample opportunities to see inside people’s homes and their lives. Comparison is a natural consequence. It’s important to remember that what you’re seeing, and what you’re comparing, is just one slice of a person’s life at one small moment in time. Let’s say a friend or favorite blogger posts pictures of her freshly organized closet. What you aren’t seeing is the starting point, or the hours of work that went into creating that result. You’re simply seeing the finished project. (You won’t even get a chance to see the laundry hamper fill up and start to overflow in the upcoming days! But it will!)
If comparison is stealing your joy, try one of these ideas to create a more joyful life.
1. Go on a comparison hiatus.
Step away from the internet, or take a break from social media. Use the time you save to do something you enjoy and do well.
2. Focus on your own progress.
If you’re in the process of working toward a goal, make sure you have a means to track your progress every step of the way. Track miles run, pounds or inches lost, or bags of items donated to charity. Acknowledge and celebrate every step of the way.
3. Remember you’re only seeing a small piece of the big picture.
If you do find yourself in a place of comparison that is making you feel badly, remind yourself that you’re looking at someone else’s finish line. You might even be seeing a perfectly crafted (and edited) photo of a finished project, captured in just-right lighting. You aren’t seeing the effort and energy that was put into creating that result.
4. Focus on gratitude.
When you find yourself making comparisons to others, turn your attention to gratitude. What are you grateful for right now? What is working well in your life? What are you doing right?
5. Recall past successes.
Finally, focus on your own successful past. Recall your own personal victories and triumphs. Remind yourself of past goals you’ve achieved and obstacles you’ve overcome.
Soon you’ll be seeing yourself as the rock star you really are and feeling the joy you deserve to experience.
Has comparison been getting you down lately? Do you think you’ll give one of these ideas a try? Thanks for sharing!
Oh, Aby, thank you for this. I love these ideas!
You’re most welcome! 😉
Aby, thank you so much for this great article – wonderful reminders of ways to stop ourselves from the comparison situation..
Blessings, Ola
Thank you Ola! Glad you enjoyed the article!
I like this post very much! Thank you for reminding those words of wisdom!
Thank you Eva. 🙂
This is so very true, thank you for the reminder. I often turn to gratitude when I catch myself comparing too much to other people.
What I am wondering though – isn’t there the danger to slip into “I don’t compare because that makes me feel bad, I’m fine” using as an excuse to NOT achieve anything? Or is that a bad thought of today’s higher-faster-more-more-more-society? I hope you understand what I mean (English is my second language…). I am really grateful and content for and with my life, but at times, when things don’t progress as fast as I wish them to, I wonder if I am too mild onto myself.
Anyhow – your post is truetruetrue, that’s what I really wanted to say!
Thanks a lot for this eye-opening article. I really needed to read this, as I am going back to teaching after many weeks of vacation. I know it’s always a moment when I compare myself to my colleagues. Consequently, I focus on what I haven’t done… Your words of wisdom have made me feel so much better!