Are you comparing yourself? When was the last time you said no to comparison?
Have you heard of the saying, “comparison is the thief of joy?”
Often we can find ourselves MEASURING ourself through the simple but harmless act of comparing ourselves. 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 saying no to comparison?
-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 comparing yourself 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!
DON’T LET COMPARISON STEAL YOUR HAPPINESS! Practice saying no to it and you’ll be happier with yourself.