Drawing comparisons

In so many ways and for so many reasons, we tend to compare ourselves to others - our bodies, our careers, our friendship/followers lists, our sense of fashion, our financial status, our intimate relationship status, our education, where we are in our lives, our strengths, our weaknesses, the success of our children... the list goes on. Social media adds to this because most of us put our day to day lives on display, especially the highlights! Hours can be spent scrolling to see what others are posting. The problem with comparing ourselves to others is it dismisses many factors and variables - the first being that we are individuals with individual likes, talents, strengths, backgrounds - including trauma, cultures, genetics, socio-economics. As many ways as there are to compare ourselves, there are at least as many variables impacting our individual lives and differences. I often have younger adults talk to me about their feelings of failure because they don't own a home or aren't yet married. They haven't launched their career even with an education. If I compare where I was at my sons age and where he is now - I must also compare the cost of living and education, the competition that is present in many work/career fields and industries. The advances that have taken place and the impacts of social media and technology need to be considered. What we viewed as societal norms have failed to be adjusted to take all these changes into consideration. I will say that I'm opposed to the idea or concept of societal norms or any norms for that matter. It permits others to form judgements and opinions that are unwarranted or unfair. The impact of drawing comparisons between ourselves and others is that it can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, body dysmorphia, setting impossible goals for ourselves that can't be reached leading to feeling as though we're failing.

Our self-worth should not be determined by comparing ourselves to others. Be present in your life, walk your journey in the way that works for you. We are not the same - not one person is a carbon copy of someone else, so why would we walk the same journey or do the same things. While we follow other people's lives and strive for similar qualities in our life - we are missing moments and opportunities that could lead us to where we truly want to go. Be true to who you are and embrace your individuality. Remember while you are looking at others lives on social media and feel envious - what you are seeing are typically the highlights - and are posted to draw positive attention, praise, envy. It does not paint a full or accurate picture of someone's life.

DO YOU - DO IT FOR ONLY YOU - AND LOVE DOING IT!!!