Comparing yourself to others

Hi WhisperingStar, nice to see your curiosity here!

It’s such a relatable question—most people compare themselves to others at some point, whether it’s about career, looks, achievements, or something else. Psychologists call this “social comparison.” Sometimes, it motivates us or helps us see what’s possible, but it can also easily turn into self-criticism or envy, especially if we focus on people we think are “doing better.”

The tricky part is how often comparison skews our perspective. We typically see others’ highlight reels but know all our own behind-the-scenes struggles. So, it can lead to feeling “less than,” which chips away at self-esteem and happiness.

Have you noticed moments when comparing yourself to others lifts you up or drags you down? What kinds of comparisons affect you the most?