Day 20: Get Real (Name Something You’re Struggling With)
I suppose we all struggle from different things, body issues, finishing school when life is in the way, sticking to a diet/exercise program, letting go of control, etc… but something I struggle with every day and will probably continue to struggle with forever is, comparing myself to others! The comparing game is a dangerous game and I know it comes from a place of fear and I definitely work to overcome it every single day but it is still hard. At this point it is something that I find I do less now that I recognize it but it still happens and I have to put it in check.
Ways that I compare myself to others:
I’ll be in the gym and think that another girl is in better shape than me, I’ll compare my blog to more popular blogs, compare my job to other people’s jobs, my hair to other women’s hair, I’ll wonder why that girl has a nicer handbag than I do, etc.. etc.. etc..
I see two main issues with comparing yourself to others; one, you aren’t being grateful for what you have and two; you’re placing a lot of judgment and assumptions on the other person’s life. The lack of gratitude is probably the biggest issue (it’s ironic that as I write this I’m reading Day 32 of May Cause Miracles and it’s all about gratitude) and at the same time is the source of you comparing yourself to others. When you are grateful for everything you have you don’t have time to worry about what you don’t have, in comparison to someone else.
Aside from the lack of gratitude, placing all those assumptions and judgments on another person is also an issue. Most of us don’t know what one person is going through and assuming they have it made just because you feel inadequate in some area of your life when compared to theirs, is ridiculous. Most people are dealing with their own issues and I can almost guarantee that no one really feels perfect and like they’ve got it all 100% of the time. And I suppose if we all just practiced more gratitude and less comparing, we’d feel like we have it all, more often.
Recognizing that I have this issue and making a serious conscious effort to tell my ego to “shut up!!!!” when it starts trying to compare myself to others has done wonders with helping me stop the comparison game. Still, I am human so it’s something I struggle with and I’m sure other people can relate. And as a woman, especially, we will all have those days where we feel amazing then see a picture of Kate Upton, Gisele, Zoe Saldana, or any other gorgeous model/actress/singer and think, “well crap, I wish I looked like that”. And while I’m sure we can all agree that none of us would mind looking like that, the minute we stop having these thoughts and start appreciating our own bodies (and lives) for how great they are, we’ll all be more at peace and happier.
I also imagine this will cut down on the b*tchy comments women make about each other, I’ll get back to you on that one though…
Girl yes, I’m into that all white.
LOVE.
