Stop comparing yourself to others from "summary" of The Subtle Art of Not Giving A - by Mark Manson
Comparison is the thief of joy. It's a cliche saying, but it's true. When we compare ourselves to others, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. We are constantly measuring ourselves against an impossible standard, one that is constantly changing and never satisfied. It's a never-ending cycle of self-doubt and insecurity.
We see someone else's success and we immediately feel inadequate. We start questioning our own worth and abilities. We wonder why we aren't as successful as they are, why we aren't as happy as they seem to be. We forget that we are all on different paths, with different goals and different definitions of success.
But here's the thing: comparison is a losing game. There will always be someone who is smarter, richer, more successful, or more attractive than you. And there will always be someone who is less smart, less rich, less successful, or less attractive than you. It's a never-ending cycle of comparison that only leads to unhappiness and discontent.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own journey. Focus on your own goals, your own values, your own definition of success. What matters is not how you measure up to others, but how you measure up to yourself. Are you living according to your values? Are you making progress towards your goals? Are you proud of the person you are becoming?
When you stop comparing yourself to others, you free yourself from the burden of unrealistic expectations. You allow yourself to be content with who you are and where you are in life. You accept that you are a work in progress, and that's okay. You are not defined by your successes or failures, but by your willingness to keep moving forward, no matter what.
So instead of looking to others for validation or approval, look within yourself. Trust in your own journey, trust in your own abilities, and trust in your own worth. Comparison is a trap that keeps you stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and insecurity. Break free from that cycle and embrace who you are, flaws and all. You are enough, just as you are.
