STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS!

Even though most of us try not to, we are all guilty of comparing ourselves to others. We can make comparisons like, “I wish I dressed like so-and- so,” or, “I wish I were as rich as them” or,“I was better than him/her”

This is often unconscious, but it is important to try to train ourselves to stop. While it may motivate us to better ourselves, constantly comparing ourselves to others can lead to negative thoughts.

Understand Yourself Better : Human beings are social creatures, and comparison is common throughout our entire history. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook bombard us with posts about what we lack. These apps are comparison traps that encourage us to question aspects of our own lives. It is easy to forget that social media is a highlight reel of other people’s lives. We see their best moments, but do not usually see their struggles. We often compare our lesser qualities with a person’s best qualities, skewing our judgment. Too much comparison leads to unhappiness and low self-esteem. We become frustrated with ourselves for “not being good enough,” or angry with others. Feelings of jealousy, frustration, and hopelessness appear if comparisons continue. If left unaddressed, chronic anxiety and depression can stem from such behaviour. To avoid comparisons, people may look for others’ faults to make themselves feel better. This is just as unhealthy as tearing yourself apart for what you do not have or do not look like. To halt the comparison habit, focus on bettering yourself and boosting your confidence. Try to train your mind to step away from unfavourable comparisons. Look instead to embrace kindness and a cheerful outlook. It is challenging work, but it pays off.

Few things you can do to take the initiative to stop comparing yourself to others:

1. Be aware of your triggers and avoid them – To improve your mental health and emotional well-being, list out the situations and circumstances that make you sad or cynical. Social media is not the only thing harming our self-esteem. Is there someone in your life who often puts you down? Or you feel inadequate when a colleague brags. There is a specific place that makes you feel bad, like wandering through an expensive store at the mall. Once you are aware of situations that make you likely to engage in comparisons, you can avoid them.
2. Limit your time on social media – social media keeps us up to date on our family and friends, current events, an raises awareness. But like most things, it is best in moderation. Over scrolling on social media, especially when consuming lifestyle and beauty content, can have negative effects on our self-worth. Unfollow accounts that cause you to compare yourself to others. Turn off your phone after a certain time of day and do not respond to every message or comment you receive.
3. Avoid comparing other peoples’ “outsides” to your own “insides” – No one truly knows what is happening behind the scenes in someone else’s life. Everyone is facing their own struggles.
4. Remind yourself that “money doesn’t buy happiness” – There is a relationship between mental health and money. But one thing is true: money does not buy happiness. Despite being bombarded with ads that say otherwise, money does not guarantee permanent happiness. Watching celebrities live luxurious lifestyles can lead us to believe that money will solve our problems, but it rarely does. Instead, it only buys temporary joy.
5. Count your blessings – Be grateful for what you have. Someone’s life may seem better, but there might be another person out there wishing they had what you had. There is always something, even just one thing, for which you can be thankful. Implement these strategies to fine-tune your gratitude practice.
6. Use comparison as motivation – Comparisons can be a great catalyst for change, so long as it is healthy. Instead of feeling envious of other people’s accomplishments, think about how they were able to achieve them. Then see how you can replicate them. Being inspired by someone you know to be kinder or more openminded can lead you to be a better person.
7. Focus on your strengths – It is okay to be humble, but you should also be proud of what you have conducted. Too much humility is just as harmful as too much self-confidence. Make a list of what you like about yourself. Writing things down can help us recognize and accept the truth instead of speaking it aloud. You can be as general or as specific as you like, and let this list serve as a reminder of your strengths.
8. Celebrate other people too – We must be our biggest supporters, but self-advocacy can coexist with supporting others. Spread positivity by cheering on your friends and coworkers for their milestones.
9. Remember that insecurities are universal – It is normal for you to compare yourself to others. We all experience self-doubts and fears that get the best of us now and then. Even the most confident people feel insecure sometimes.
10. Use your past self as a benchmark of comparison – The only real competition you have is who you were yesterday, who you were last month, or who you were a year ago. You
    will be able to see real growth through retrospection and be proud of your growth.

Must have heard these line below:

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

“Stop comparing yourself to other people: you are an original. We are all different and it’s okay.”

“I don’t want other people to decide what I am. I want to decide that for myself.”

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.”

The only person you should be comparing yourself to is yourself. Your efforts should focus on growing from within, being kinder, more resilient, working hard, and being more open instead of whether your hair is long enough, or you are as strong as someone else or getting paid less that other etc.