Stop comparing yourself to others

Whatever we do or end up doing, there is always the constant and inexplicable need to compare ourselves to others: our achievements, our happiness level, our relationship status, our financial status etc; our life story, in a nuthsell. We seemingly live under the impression that, the more we compare our lives to others', the happier we will become or the more fulfilled we will be. We think that our life mission is complete the moment we have reached a certain stage in life that our peers have achieved.

This is not a healthy way of thinking, from the plain and sole reason that, we are all unique human beings, with our own unique story to tell, with different behavioral patterns, with different mentalities, with different interests, goals and career paths, with different values and so forth. It is our journey, it is our destination, it is our life choices and implicitly, it is our life.

Have you ever asked yourselves where does this need of comparing ourselves to others actually stem from? What is its root cause? Is it because we are unhappy or unsatisfied with our own lives and so, we seek to find happiness and satisfaction by adopting other people's lifestyle? Is it because we want to keep up with the Joneses and make sure that we do not want to miss out on important life aspects? Is it because we want to prove something to ourselves, that we are better and more successful than others? Or is it simply because we live in a society which, to a certain extent, instilled this mentality into us, to the point that we look at it as being something normal and acceptable?

Now, I am inclined to believe and want to believe it is the later one; however, from what I have seen and heard so far, I would realistically have to say that it is a little bit of everything.

The thing is that, by doing all of these previously mentioned, we are basically living somebody else's life instead of living our own. Consequently, although it appears to be a feasible plan on the short-term, it will not guarantee you feasibility on the long-term. What does this exactly entail? You will not be living your life to your full potential because you actively chose a different version of your life, but, not your own version. This ultimately leads to one's true identity being lost along the way, because, instead of working to improve their happiness, relationship status, life goals or whatever, people seem to find it more convenient to do what other people are doing, just for the sake of it.

To simplify my message regarding this post, we are in no competition with anyone, therefore we have nothing to prove to anyone. The only people we should constantly be in competition with, is ourselves; working on ourselves, challenging ourselves to be better and focusing on ourselves, in order to become the best version of ourselves while celebrating individual identity.

I can assure you that adopting this "minding your own business" and "thinking from your perspective with what's good for YOU" mentality, it will bring you not only more purpose to your life, also inner peace and a healthy state of mind in the long run.