Comparing Yourself to Others Is Holding You Back

What’s important is you’re better than who you were yesterday

Photo by AllGo - An App For Plus Size People on Unsplash

People tell us not to compare ourselves to others all the time. And as good as the logic and idea sound to our well-being and our general conceptions of the world, it’s hard to do in practice. It’s hard to internalize the idea of not comparing yourself to other people. As much as not comparing yourself to others sounds good, it’s hard to practice.

But I’m here to tell you one reason why not comparing yourself to others is not only wrong but in your best interest: it holds you back.

“At least I’m not an alcoholic”
“At least I’m not broke.”
“At least I’m not a cop.”
“At least I’m not a murderer.”
“At least I’m not homeless.”
“At least I’m not racist.”

These are negative attitudes in more ways than one, no matter where you stand on the political spectrum. First, they connote insecurity. They show you’re so insecure you need to elevate yourself above other people. Comparing yourself to people much worse than you also does you the disservice because you put people down into one label when in reality, people are much more complex than that. Their label serves no one but you — you’re the one who needs to feel good that at least you’re not your worst nightmare or some boogeyman on your moral…