Ever caught yourself scrolling through Insta and suddenly feeling like your life is a mess? 🙃 Like, how does Jessica from Pilates class have a six-pack, a promotion, and a DIY backyard sauna? Meanwhile, I’m over here celebrating that I remembered to water my succulents. 🌵💀
Let’s get real, babe: Comparison is the sneaky little thief of joy. But here’s the plot twist—nobody’s winning this game. Not even Jessica. (Yes, I’m side-eyeing her turmeric latte aesthetic.)
Last year, I fell hard into the comparison trap. My college roommate launched a skincare line while I was still burning toast. My cousin got engaged in Santorini while I was…well, arguing with my cat about 3 AM zoomies. I started obsessing over “shoulds”: Should I be further along? Should I want that influencer-perfect life? Spoiler: It left me exhausted and weirdly jealous of people I didn’t even like.
Then I stumbled on a psychology study that changed everything. Researchers found that comparing ourselves to others activates the same brain regions as physical pain. Let that sink in. We’re literally hurting ourselves every time we measure our worth against someone else’s Instagram filter.
So I started experimenting. First, I unfollowed anyone who made me feel “less than”—no apologies, no guilt. (Bye, yoga-bunny influencers who do headstands at sunrise.) Next, I created a “Wins Jar.” Every Friday, I’d jot down tiny victories: “Finally returned that library book from 2019” or “Didn’t cry during a work meeting.” Turns out, celebrating micro-wins rewires your brain to focus on your progress, not everyone else’s.
Here’s the kicker: Success isn’t a monolith. My friend Maya runs a nonprofit but hates public speaking. My neighbor Lucy thrives as a stay-at-home mom but feels insecure about “not having a career.” We’re all carrying invisible battles and quiet triumphs.
Now, when I feel the comparison itch creeping in, I ask: “Does this person’s journey have anything to do with mine?” 99% of the time, the answer’s nope. Your path isn’t a race—it’s a scavenger hunt. Collect the experiences that light you up, ditch the “supposed tos,” and embrace the glorious chaos of being uniquely you.
Oh, and Jessica’s sauna? It flooded last month. Karma’s a hilarious teacher. 😉