The Comparison Game

Comparing ourselves to friends, strangers, family and celebrities has become a guilty pleasure. 'Successful, engaged, loving life - what is she doing right, and what am I doing wrong?"

Occasionally the green eyed monster can appear. This is a fact of life, and while there's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, or motivation to get you off your butt and be the best 'you', as a society we have started to hit the habit of comparison head on, and it's a hard habit to break!

Magazines, TV, Social Media, so many outlets that just want to rub it in your face how successful we all are. That Facebook friend with the most 'romantic boyfriend in the world' who let's face it, you can't decide if you want to de-friend or punch in the face. We get it, your boyfriend is amazing.

I recently read a great article on this nasty comparison game in the August issue of Women's Fitness. According to psychologist Jacqui Manning, 'comparing yourself to other people can make you lose sight of your own strengths and values, as you often forget to notice all the good you are doing, and only focus on what you don't have or aren't doing.'

Negative thoughts, meet negative feelings.

Psychologist Victoria Kasunic mentions in this article 'It's most common when we feel insecure or lack confidence in ourselves, but when it dominates your thinking, it's only unhelpful. Comparisons sap your energy and drain your happiness'.

Here's what you can do to try to get your head out of the comparison game.

Those that appear to have the best, happy life, are often struggling with their own issues of self consciousness or comparison monster. No person lives the complete perfect existence, but many of us work hard, every day at ourselves and our thoughts to get as close to this as possible.

Instead of thinking of yourself as a competitor, look at others and get inspired, and use that to make a positive change in your own life. Once this becomes a habit you will notice your perception drastically changing, for the good!

Images: Pinterest

Content: My Own | Women's Fitness Magazine August 2013 Edition