10 reasons why you need to STOP comparing yourself to others

Updated On 6th May, 2020

I am guilty too of using social media way too much. We are undeniably in a generation that depends on it. Particularly, as a travel blogger, without it, my career would be non-existent.

But social media has some very negative effects on our lives whether you’ve already noticed it or not.

One issue that i feel very strongly about is ‘Comparing ourselves to others on social media’.
The amount of times I hear girls say things like, ‘i want to be her’ or ‘i wish I had her life’ is silly.

My Struggle With Acne (which has gone on to be my most viewed post of all time) is a prime example of being oblivious to what someones actually going through.

But anyway, I’ll stop nattering!

Here are my 10 reasons why you need to stop comparing yourself to people on social media…

1. Wasted energy

All that energy you are focusing on someone else’s life – you could be investing in driving yours closer towards to where you want it to be.

2. Comparison is the biggest thief of joy

One minute you’ll be in a great mood – next you’ll see someone upload a photo on Instagram and suddenly think that their life is better and boom… your mood has dropped.
We all do it. If you hadn’t looked, then that great mood wouldn’t have been stolen from you?

3. You will never be them

No matter how hard you try or how much you copy them. You will NEVER be them – so save yourself the grief and go back to doing you.

4. They’ve been at it for a while

Be it an amazing singer, a talented make up artist, a model, an athlete, a photographer or anything else; chances are they’ve been working hard at it for a long time. Nothing worth having comes easy so unless you’re one of the lucky few – you’ll need to get your butt into gear. Stick to your craft, focus on your goals and you can be as good as you set your mind to be.

5. It’s probably been edited

We all use apps, we all use filters, therefore most of the time what you see isn’t actually REAL. It’s modified. Even if only slightly, you’re falling in love with something that technically doesn’t exist.

6. Reality vs. Highlights.

‘The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.’
Need i say more?

7. You’re wasting your own time.

Time spent browsing / stalking / whatever you call it – is time you could be spending living your life. Making a conscious effort to turn off your phone and return to living your life will make you feel a lot more fulfilled at the end of the day. Fact.

8. Social success doesn’t guarantee happiness

Since when did we start rating success on the number of twitter followers/pairs of shoes someone has? Sure, they are great things to have, but isn’t the real success in happiness? I can promise you some of the wealthiest and ‘socially successful’ are also some of the loneliest and unhappiest.

9. Nobody is perfect.

Nobody. Trust me, even Beyonce has flaws. It took me a while to realise that, but I’m a lot happier now. haha!

10. Set yourself free.

Set yourself free from the illusion the media creates. At the end of the day it’s a business. Nobody would bother watching Rihanna in concert if all she did in-between songs was moan about her life and cry about how tired she is. Remember that.