Is Comparison the Death of Joy?

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nceled my appointment… For now.I don’t mean any offense to anyone who has had their face done, but the only reason I wanted this is because I was comparing myself to these other women. Suddenly, I feel my jawline isn’t sharp enough, and my lips need to be larger. When in reality, my jawline and lips are fine as they are.If I allow myself to spend hours a day on Instagram, I find that I’m actually less happy, and apparently, I want a new face.Or you know, just now I was scrolling Instagram because it is a serious addiction and I came across this girl’s page who I have to say is just flawless. I mean, from head to toe, she is utterly perfect. Long hair, clear skin, great smile, bangin’ body, and to top it off, there is a video of her doing 19 different types of handstands on her kitchen island. I didn’t even know there were so many ways to do a handstand, and here is this girl making it look easy.How can I not feel a bit less of myself after seeing this? Before seeing this page, I was pretty happy that I could do a headstand near a wall for a few seconds. Now I’m feeling a bit like a piece of dust. Ok, I don’t actually feel that way about myself, but do you see what I mean here?Comparison kills joy if you let it.Maybe I feel a bit bad for myself because so many other people seem to be leaps and bounds ahead of where I want to be. They have the perfect body, a flawless face, impeccable style, a picture-perfect relationship.It’s not like I see people succeeding and am jealous and want them to be failing. That’s not the case.

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It’s more so that maybe I just feel a bit discouraged that I’m not “there” yet. Or might never be able to 19 different types of handstands. My focus shifts away from my strengths and what I like about myself to what I can’t do, what I’m not good at, and what I don’t look like.You see someone else’s profile, and they are just killing the game, and you’re…well, not. This type of comparison can inhibit us from starting whatever we want to pursue. At least that’s how I feel.Now, I know social media isn’t going away anytime soon or ever, for that matter, but I honestly encourage you to spend less time on it. You’re not missing anything. Keep in contact with your friends and the people you care about, but the less time spent on social media, the better, in my opinion. Focus on yourself and your priorities. Work on your goals in silence. The greatest flex is not flexing at all. I need to take this advice myself. I mean, not that I really have anything to flex, except for my 10-second headstand.Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on comparing yourself to the person you were yesterday. Focus on improving yourself. You are not in a race with others, and to be quite honest, there is room for all of us to be successful in our own ways. Not only does success happen for us at different stages in life, but it also looks completely different from one person to the next. Some people are “successful” at the age of 20, and for others, it doesn’t happen until they’re in their 50’s. So don’t allow comparison to hinder your growth or stop you altogether from pursuing your goals.</article></body>

The inevitable influence of social media on our lives and self-confidence.

“Comparison is the death of joy” — Mark Twain.

What are your thoughts on this quote?

Initially, I wasn’t sure if I could fully agree with this quote by Mark Twain. I thought that some level of comparison could actually be good, motivational even. Let’s say you see someone “succeeding” or perhaps dressing a certain way, and then you’re inspired to level up your own life.

Maybe comparison isn’t so bad after all?

If I’m being honest with how I usually use comparison, it’s not typically like that.

When I spend time scrolling Instagram looking at other people’s lives, I can’t seem to help wanting everything I don’t have. These days I seem to have a pretty good sense of judgment, and I don’t allow myself to get sucked into this influential vortex like I used to. Ok, actually, that’s not true. I recently booked an appointment to have my jawline and lips injected because of all of these women I constantly see on Instagram, so clearly, I am still getting sucked into the vortex… Luckily, I have come to my senses while reflecting on this and canceled my appointment… For now.

I don’t mean any offense to anyone who has had their face done, but the only reason I wanted this is because I was comparing myself to these other women. Suddenly, I feel my jawline isn’t sharp enough, and my lips need to be larger. When in reality, my jawline and lips are fine as they are.

If I allow myself to spend hours a day on Instagram, I find that I’m actually less happy, and apparently, I want a new face.

Or you know, just now I was scrolling Instagram because it is a serious addiction and I came across this girl’s page who I have to say is just flawless. I mean, from head to toe, she is utterly perfect. Long hair, clear skin, great smile, bangin’ body, and to top it off, there is a video of her doing 19 different types of handstands on her kitchen island. I didn’t even know there were so many ways to do a handstand, and here is this girl making it look easy.

How can I not feel a bit less of myself after seeing this? Before seeing this page, I was pretty happy that I could do a headstand near a wall for a few seconds. Now I’m feeling a bit like a piece of dust. Ok, I don’t actually feel that way about myself, but do you see what I mean here?

Comparison kills joy if you let it.

Maybe I feel a bit bad for myself because so many other people seem to be leaps and bounds ahead of where I want to be. They have the perfect body, a flawless face, impeccable style, a picture-perfect relationship.

It’s not like I see people succeeding and am jealous and want them to be failing. That’s not the case. It’s more so that maybe I just feel a bit discouraged that I’m not “there” yet. Or might never be able to 19 different types of handstands. My focus shifts away from my strengths and what I like about myself to what I can’t do, what I’m not good at, and what I don’t look like.

You see someone else’s profile, and they are just killing the game, and you’re…well, not. This type of comparison can inhibit us from starting whatever we want to pursue. At least that’s how I feel.

Now, I know social media isn’t going away anytime soon or ever, for that matter, but I honestly encourage you to spend less time on it. You’re not missing anything. Keep in contact with your friends and the people you care about, but the less time spent on social media, the better, in my opinion. Focus on yourself and your priorities. Work on your goals in silence. The greatest flex is not flexing at all. I need to take this advice myself. I mean, not that I really have anything to flex, except for my 10-second headstand.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on comparing yourself to the person you were yesterday. Focus on improving yourself. You are not in a race with others, and to be quite honest, there is room for all of us to be successful in our own ways. Not only does success happen for us at different stages in life, but it also looks completely different from one person to the next. Some people are “successful” at the age of 20, and for others, it doesn’t happen until they’re in their 50’s. So don’t allow comparison to hinder your growth or stop you altogether from pursuing your goals.