How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others for Healthier Self-Esteem
Don't compare your "real" to someone else's highlight reel.
My sister once sent me an Instagram reel with the message, “We should try this!” Famous. Last. Words. When will we learn how to stop comparing yourself to others, especially online? The video shows two women balancing on each other, cheerleader-style, while drinking a tasty beverage. They made it look so easy and cool. My sister and I used to do those kinds of stunts all the time—as kids. Turns out, we’re not nimble teenagers anymore, and our attempt was so hilariously catastrophic that we didn’t even bother filming it.
Thankfully, the result of my ill-advised comparison to influencers was only a few rug burns, but there have certainly been other times I’ve gotten hurt. Usually, it’s in the form of lower self-esteem, anxiety, self-criticizing and some body dysmorphia. It really stinks turning to social media to try new things and learn how to be confident in my body, only to end up feeling worse about it.
My problem? A habit of comparing. “Comparison is the thief of joy,” as they say. You’ve likely heard this popular quote before, maybe even on social media—the irony! But these days, it’s more poignant than ever, says Latasha Blackmond, author of Be You, No Filter: How to Love Yourself and Stay #SocialMediaStrong, a book about how to stop comparing yourself to others. So, how can we be better? This is what we found out...
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My sister once sent me an Instagram reel with the message, “We should try this!” Famous. Last. Words. When will we learn how to stop comparing yourself to others, especially online? The video shows two women balancing on each other, cheerleader-style, while drinking a tasty beverage. They made it look so easy and cool. My sister and I used to do those kinds of stunts all the time—as kids. Turns out, we’re not nimble teenagers anymore, and our attempt was so hilariously catastrophic that we didn’t even bother filming it.
Thankfully, the result of my ill-advised comparison to influencers was only a few rug burns, but there have certainly been other times I’ve gotten hurt. Usually, it’s in the form of lower self-esteem, anxiety, self-criticizing and some body dysmorphia. It really stinks turning to social media to try new things and learn how to be confident in my body, only to end up feeling worse about it.
My problem? A habit of comparing. “Comparison is the thief of joy,” as they say. You’ve likely heard this popular quote before, maybe even on social media—the irony! But these days, it’s more poignant than ever, says Latasha Blackmond, author of Be You, No Filter: How to Love Yourself and Stay #SocialMediaStrong, a book about how to stop comparing yourself to others. So, how can we be better? This is what we found out...
Click Here to Read More