Do you compare yourself to others? If so why?

Question

OneViewpoint · Accepted Answer

Sure to some extent. But I was a 3 season runner in high school and college. Indoor and outdoor track and cross country, plus rugby. One thing I learned early on was to run my own race. Don't go out too fast with the leaders (a rabbit) and burn out. Don't get lazy and hang at the back of the pack until it's too late to move up. Just listen to your body and find the place where you're comfortable. Pick your own moment to make a challenge for the lead. In training, worry about beating your own personal best and getting the most out of every workout. Don't focus on other people's times. And have fun with it.

Those life lessons from running have served me well over the years. I see a lot of miserable people focused on things they can't control while ignoring their personal growth. This happens over and over again while they get depressed and eventually stop trying. What a waste.

HawkPerception · Accepted Answer

Anyone who says they don't compare themselves to others is lying to themselves. It's how we compete. It's how we judge. It's what gives us confidence.

"I'm more intelligent than that guy. I should be a more likely pick for the job."

"That guy's better looking than me because he's in shape. I should work out more."

"That girl is beautiful and kind. She likely has tons of guys approaching her. I probably wouldn't be able to get a date with her. I mean, no harm in trying, but my chances are not likely high."

If you don't compare yourself to others, then there are zero expectations of you in life. You won't aim to be a better person because you're in your own world.

lyrem04 · Accepted Answer

Yea, a bit. Being in your 20s and feeling behind is hard. I catch myself comparing my life to other people my age who seem to have all their life figured out and are way ahead, but I try to remember we all come from different backgrounds. As a woman also, of course I want to feel pretty, but there’s a lot of pressure, especially growing up and still living in a mostly white area. I never felt like I could measure up since I simply don’t fit the beauty standard whatsoever, so I’ve always felt like I had to tryr harder. I was also bullied a lot as a kid, which really crushed my self confidence. So I still do compare but it’s not as much as I used to.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Accepted Answer

A bad habit of mine. I grew up with a mother who was raised by a woman who knew her only societal value was her beauty. It had to be, considering if grandma couldn’t get married and have children she wouldn’t be allowed to be considered a person in society, she passed that on to my mother who passed that idea down to me despite her best efforts not to. It’s something I do now and again without meaning to, I’ve learned how to correct it and push it away but it comes back every now and again. Trauma never really goes away, after all.

petitedollbabee · Answer

All the time, though I try not to. I do it because I feel like I’m supposed to have it ‘all together’ or figured out by now. When I see other ladies my age, they usually have a proper life sorted - some are married, others have a proper career, etc. Then there’s me, recently separated from my kids dad, and only just getting started on a career. I always feel like I’m way behind my peers. Though it’s silly considering I’m only 23, I still have so much time and I know that.

Zack-Bann · Answer

Of course I do
I need references points for where I am and what is possible

My moto is: “If just one person can do it, so can I”

But I make sure to not turn comparison into envy.

We all move at our own speed.
I wouldn’t swap places with anyone in this world.
Getting to write my own story is an immense privilege that shouldn’t be taken for granted

WonderingManII · Answer

For me it all started in elementary school. I have a learning disability and because learning came really hard, I always saw the other students zoom past me. I always wished I could be more "normal" like them. That has carried into adulthood. I see other people married, and I don't even have a girlfriend. I still struggle to keep up with society. Sometimes I look at another person to gage if I'm doing ok or not.

alice55 · Answer

I do but it's pretty rare it''s just mostly when I go to the big city and see every woman being fashionable and me being into old trends, sometime it make me feel a bit uncomfortable but at the same time I dislike news trends so

Anonymous · Answer

Not since I turned 40. I'm of two minds on this. Comparing myself to others spurred me to excel. This is good. But it always made me feel incomplete. This is bad. At about 40 I finally embraced who I was and what I've accomplished. We all have different life paths filled with different variables. It's foolish to try to compare yourself to others. But it's such a natural reaction. Life is too short to feel bad. Love yourself and do your best. That's all you can do.

FreyaRed · Answer

I think it's a necessary step for more accurate self evaluation

Amy10223 · Answer

I do not. But I know people who do compare themselves to me, and I don't like it. You should just be yourself and not worry about what anyone else does, their wardrobe, their wealth, or their brains.

Valdemort · Answer

Barely.  Sometimes, when I get myself into another stupid situation, I tend to compare my own handling to others' and see where I go wrong. Lol.

Static_In_The_Attic · Answer

As for me I’m an individual & I’m in a class of my own & if truth be told I can’t be compared & answer your question I don’t compare myself to others.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

I measure myself with others... not in inches, though :D But others will not specify my scale. It's just to see where in evolution I stand.

Bricealan · Answer

@thegreenyogi I don't now at this stage, as I have a good Self image, but probably did so at an younger age.

Apple1996 · Answer

Nope! Im just happy being me so I don't need to compare myself to anyone else

Anonymous · Answer

yes I compare to Jesus, because that be the goal and where I hope to go.  I'm not even close though lets be honest...

Anonymous · Answer

Sure I feel like I'm failing given one of my business friends is worth fast approaching $10M and my net worth is only the low lower side of five figures

Shiprex · Answer

Not really but perhaps a bit when I see someone doing or being some way I may copy that although not for long. I find it hard enough to like me let alone like and admire others.

Gaylordslav · Answer

Ofcourse how else will i know where i stand in society. P. S on the bottom. Cool ty for the like

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Nah. VERY few folk would come close to approximating my looks !!!

OddBeMe · Answer

We all do. We compare contrast everything. Some just have jealousy behind it

Anonymous · Answer

I feel like it human nature to but I don't do it as much as I used to

Almanprens · Answer

No never… everyone can and hopefully is better than me in all things… I am living to do the best and right

Anonymous · Answer

Nope, I don't like comparing myself to others.

rosemilk · Answer

no, it seems like a waste of time

Grond21 · Answer

Comparison is the thief of joy

DrPepper12 · Answer

Less n less thankfully

Bugchugo · Answer

Not very much if at all.

Jerre · Answer

No, I do not. Never!

Anonymous · Answer

Sometimes on appearance

Dongie · Answer

Nope

eagle1951 · Answer

never

Anonymous · Answer

Only my penis size

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