Why do we Compare ourselves?

Do we compare ourselves to others? 🤔

The easy answer is YES we do!

The tendency to compare ourselves to others is deeply ingrained in human nature and serves various psychological, social, and emotional functions within us.

It's important though to be mindful of the impact of these comparisons on our mental health and well-being and to strive for a healthy balance between self-reflection and acceptance.

Here are some of the benefits:

✅ Self-Evaluation: By comparing ourselves to others, we gain insight into our own strengths and weaknesses. This type of comparison can serve as a benchmark for self-improvement and personal development.
✅ Social Identity: Our sense of self is often intertwined with our social groups and the people around us. Comparing ourselves to others helps us understand where we fit in and how we relate to our peers and society at large.
✅ Validation and Recognition: Comparison can be a means of seeking validation and recognition from others. When we see ourselves as similar or superior to others in certain aspects, it can boost our self-esteem and sense of worth.
✅ Motivation and Aspiration: Observing others' achievements can inspire us to set higher goals and strive for excellence. Comparisons can serve as motivation to work harder and achieve similar levels of success.
✅ Cultural and Societal Influences: Societal norms and cultural values often dictate certain standards of success and accomplishment. We compare ourselves to these standards to gauge our progress and conform to social expectations.
✅ Perspective and Gratitude: Comparing ourselves to others can also provide perspective and gratitude for what we have. It can help us appreciate our own circumstances and achievements, even if they may not stack up against others'.

A HUGE drawback that we need to be aware of is:

❌ Insecurity and Envy: On the flip side, comparison can also lead to feelings of inadequacy, envy, and resentment, especially when we perceive ourselves as falling short in comparison to others. This can have detrimental effects on self-esteem and mental well-being.

This is one of the topics that I'll be tacking in my upcoming book. The reason I'll be including it is because I believe the reason we are all here (us human beings 🤗) is to be our own unique self-expression.

When we constantly compare, we stop being 100% ourselves and become 'diluted'. That may work for a cordial - but not our souls.

The book will provide a structure in which to focus on your own unique journey and also understand where others are at too.

I look forward to sharing more as manuscript evolves 😍