In The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Steven Chbosky wrote the following line: “And even if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn’t really change the fact that you have what you have. Good and Bad.” This means that everyone has different successes and difficulties, and you can’t compare yours to another’s because everyone lives a very different life.
Everyone is On a Different Life Path
Everyone’s life is very different. A person’s life is a collection of all their highs and lows, accomplishments and struggle, and good times and bad times.
You can’t compare your life to another person’s life because you don’t know their full story. You don’t know if they are where they want to be, if they are doing what truly makes them happy, if they are at a high point in their story right now, or if they are at the lowest point of their life.
Comparing yourself to others is futile and can be very damaging to your mental health. While everyone forms comparisons in their heads, it is best to allow those comparisons to be a passing thought so that you can refocus on what you want out of your own life.
How to Stop Comparing Your Life to Others
Comparing your life to others does not serve you in any way. It is important to learn how to see your life independently from others so that you can make the most of the life you have. Here are 5 ways to stop comparing your life to others:
Focus on Your Path
As mentioned above, everyone is on a different path in life. No two people have exactly the same route. We all have different struggles, different challenges, different gifts, and different successes. How can you compare yourself to someone else when you only see a small portion of their life?
Focusing on your own path rather than worrying about the path of other people will allow you to make strides toward improving your life and living for yourself.
Allow Yourself to Feel Your Emotions
In the quote, it is important to note that it says, “Good and bad.” This means that you need to allow yourself to feel all your emotions regardless of how your life is going at the present moment. You shouldn’t dwell on your emotions, but you at least need to acknowledge them and deal with them in a healthy way.
Only Compete with Yourself
Another great way to overcome comparison is to only compete with yourself. Focus on making yourself better than you were the day before rather than making yourself better than somebody else. This way, you work on your own personal growth and improve your well-being in the process.
Surround Yourself with Nonjudgmental People
Being around people that constantly judge others is not good for your self-esteem and mental health. It can make you feel as though you will never gain their approval. Instead, surround yourself with people who accept and embrace others’ differences.
Live Intentionally
Finally, always live with intention. Do everything for a reason, not just to do something. Find your purpose and let everything you do guide you closer to that purpose.
