5 Reasons Why You Should Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

With all the Instagram influencers out there with seemingly perfect bodies taking amazing vacations around the world, it can be really hard to break the habit of comparing yourself to other people and feeling like you are somehow “less than”. The truth is, those people don’t actually look like that in real life and comparing yourself to them or striving for that level of perfection can be damaging.

Here are the top 5 reasons why you need to stop comparing yourself to others and start being grateful for the amazing life you have.

Take back your power

Comparing ourselves to others allows them to manipulate our behavior. When we compare ourselves, it’s usually looking at someone else’s best feature against our average ones. It’s like trying to write with your left hand when you are a righty. You probably aren’t going to be great at it. Instead, focus on the things you are awesome at and relish them.

Know your limits

You can be anything if you sent your mind to it, but you can’t be everything. It’s okay to have limits. When we see someone who seemingly has it all together balancing work, family, friends and everything in between, it can seem like they are living a life free of problems, but that’s not necessarily so. Everyone has their struggles and just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. When you compare yourself to someone you think of as “perfect”, you are setting unattainable expectations that will only lead to disappointment.

Focus on the positive

When you focus on yourself and being your personal best, life becomes about being a better version of you. And when that happens, your effort and energy go toward striving to be your best every day, not worrying about what others are doing. You become happier, free from the depression that comes from false comparisons and focused on the present moment.

Look within

The most important things in life are internal, not external. When you stop comparing yourself to others and focus internally, you start being better at what really matters, being you. It sounds simple but it’s not always easy. When you head into each day with this mindset, the world starts to look better again. No longer are you focused on where you stand relative to others. Instead, your focus and energy is placed on what you’re capable of now and how you can improve yourself.

Ditch the nay-sayers

When what you do doesn’t meet the expectations of others, too bad! The way others look at you is the same way you were looking at them, though a distorted lens shaped by experiences and expectations. What really matters is what you think about what you do, what your standards are, what you can achieve today.

Question: What is the thing you love most about yourself?