The Comparison Conundrum

Somebody once said that comparison is the thief of joy. This is a powerful statement that rings true for many people. When we compare ourselves to others, we often end up feeling inadequate and unhappy. We focus on what they have that we don't, and we forget to appreciate all the good things in our own lives.

A lot of people fall into the comparison trap, especially when we are readily consuming other people's highlight reels on social media, and we often feel inadequate as a result.

Our use of social media has created a culture of comparison, where we measure our success, self-worth, and happiness based on the number of likes, reshares and comments we receive.

There are many reasons why comparison is so harmful to our happiness. First, it can lead to feelings of envy and resentment. When we see someone else who has something that we want, it can make us feel like we are not good enough. This can lead to negative emotions like anger, sadness, and frustration.

Second, comparison can make us feel like we are not living up to our full potential. When we see someone else who is more successful, more talented, or more beautiful than us, it can make us feel like we are not good enough. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Third, comparison can rob us of the joy of living in the present moment. When we are constantly comparing ourselves to others, we are not able to appreciate the good things that are happening in our own lives. We are always looking for something better, and we never seem to be satisfied.

So, how can we stop comparing ourselves to others and start living a more joyful life? Here are six practical steps:

1. Focus on your own journey.?Everyone is on their own unique journey in life. There is no one right way to live. Stop comparing yourself to others and start focusing on your own goals and dreams.
2. Practice gratitude.?Take some time each day to appreciate the good things in your life. This could be anything from your health and family to your home and job. When you focus on the positive, it is harder to compare yourself to others.
3. Live in the present moment.?Don't dwell on the past or worry about the future. Focus on enjoying the present moment. When you are present, you are less likely to compare yourself to others.
4. Be kind to yourself.?Everyone makes mistakes. Don't be so hard on yourself when you don't measure up to your own expectations. Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself for your shortcomings.
5. Surround yourself with positive people.?The people you spend time with can have a big impact on your outlook on life. Surround yourself with positive people who will support you and make you feel good about yourself.
6. Take a break from social media. If you find that social media is making you feel bad about yourself, take a break from it. Spend some time offline and focus on your own life.

Following these steps can help you stop comparing yourself to others and start living a more joyful life. Remember, everyone is different and everyone has their own unique journey to follow. There is no need to compare yourself to anyone else. Just focus on being the best version of yourself and living your own best life.

Here are some additional tips for appreciating the everyday:

• Take some time each day to simply observe the world around you. Notice the beauty in nature, the kindness of strangers, and the small joys in your day-to-day life. Be intentional in this – another blog post is coming up around intentional observation.
• Spend time with loved ones. Connecting with the people you care about is a great way to feel loved and supported.
• Do things that you enjoy. Make time for activities that make you happy, whether it's reading, spending time in nature, or playing with your pets.
• Be grateful for what you have. Take some time each day to reflect on all the good things in your life, big or small.
• Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help you to appreciate the everyday and to let go of negative thoughts and emotions.

Appreciating the everyday is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and practice to learn to focus on the good things in life and to let go of comparison. But it is a journey that is worth taking.

As mentioned the comparison culture can be harmful to our mental health. It can lead to feelings of envy, anxiety, and depression. It can also make us less motivated to achieve our goals, as we constantly see others who seem to be doing better than us. Social media is a tool. It can be used for good or for bad. It is up to us to decide how we use it.

• Mindful social media use means being aware of why we are using social media and what we are hoping to achieve. It means being intentional about the content we consume and the time we spend on social media.
• ?Mindless social media use means scrolling through our feeds without a purpose. It means being reactive to the content that we see and letting it control our emotions.

The next time you find yourself comparing yourself to others on social media, take a step back and remind yourself that everyone is on their own journey. Focus on your own goals and on being grateful for the good things in your life. And if you need to, take a break from social media altogether.

By appreciating the everyday, I have found that I am (overall) happier, more content, and more fulfilled. There are still moments in my life where I find myself stuck in the muddy waters of comparison and can be a grumpy bugger, but through the journey these moments have become fewer and far between.