Are you comparing yourself?
Often we can find ourselves MEASURING ourself through comparison. This is an undercurrent happening and being MINDFUL is key.
There is a whole theory of Social Comparison in psychology. In a nut shell this theory says: We have an innate drive to evaluate ourself and one way that happens is through comparison.
-Upward comparison – has potentiation to motivate a person to improve.
-Downward comparison – can be the vehicle to realize what gifts or skills have been achieved
This can be difficult for many people (because):
-Self esteem challenged or even rocked
-Jealousy
-Resentment
-Even MORE difficult (often) for individuals that have poor impulse control
-Developmental trauma that did not support loving feedback when you were little of how amazing you are!
What are the steps toward not comparing?
-Start by being aware of how and when you are doing it. Awareness is power.
-Remember often we are holding other people’s judgments of us – on us, and those can be worked through and released (through therapy).
-Notice when comparison supports you moving forward vs makes you feel bad.
-Remind yourself this is a normal human IMPULSE and then insert space.
-Naming things in your life that you are deeply grateful for.
-Taking on a somatic practice that allows you to enter into a deep relationship with yourself.
-Reminding yourself what brings you joy or makes you feel alive in a healthy way (regardless of how “good” – you perceive yourself to be) AND DO THAT!
DONT LET COMPARISON STEAL YOUR HAPPINESS!
