I struggled with it for over 10 years of my life. I couldn’t escape it (as much as I wanted to). It was simply a character flaw hidden somewhere deep in my heart and it took the best of me.
I lived most of my life comparing myself to others. At first, it was school and dance. But as I got older, I began comparing other metrics: body type, popularity, facial features, and the list goes on. I found so many things to compare myself with others and so many people to compare myself to. My self-esteem was at an ultimate low. Once I began down that road, I thought I’d never find an end.
Thankfully, I was wrong..
When I was advised to take anti-depressants by a doctor at the age of eighteen, something inside of me strongly said no. I believed that there had to be another way to deal with what I was going through.
My turning point began when I realized the key to happiness (and freedom from comparison) lies in working from the inside out – a philosophy that served me well, as I guided myself to understand how to heal from within rather than relying solely on medication.
In my early twenties, I began to live within the present moment. I started performing yoga and other forms of meditation. I began to appreciate and understand the enormous value that yoga and other holistic approaches of healing have not only for our bodies, but even more so our minds.
Living within the present moment cleared my mind of negativity and clutter, and helped me understand that we are all unique beings. Moreover, we are too unique to compare ourselves to one another fairly. Our values, talents and accomplishments are entirely unique to who we are and our purpose in this world. That is when I realized we can never be properly compared to anyone else, ever.
The tendency to compare ourselves to others is as human as any other emotion. Certainly, I wasn’t alone in my experience. But with that being said, comparing ourselves to others only steals joy from our lives and can inhabit numerous shortcomings.
So, here are ten major reasons why you should never compare yourself to others…
1. Comparisons are always unfair
2. Comparisons waste valuable time
3. Comparisons evoke low self-esteem
4. Comparisons give you nothing
5. Comparisons put focus on the wrong person
6. Comparisons deprive your happiness
7. Comparisons evoke jealousy
8. Comparisons derail your success
9. Comparisons set you up for failure
10. Comparisons do not allow you to be authentic[line]
Instead of comparing yourself to others, strive to be the best possible version of yourself. You can do this by taking care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually (as I did), and commit to growing from within each and every day.
I also invite you to check out my book ‘Weighing Love,’ which was written with the intention to help anyone who is dealing with eating disorders/disordered eating, self-esteem issues, body image issues, and negative thoughts, or for anyone who is trying to reach touch with their authentic self.
Additionally, if you have any further questions, comments or would like to book a 2-hour complimentary coaching session with me, please email me at info@paulagalli.com
Xo Paula
