Overcoming Comparison

 

Comparison. Jealousy. The words we all hate to admit to but experience on a daily basis. Any person no matter their age, gender, etc. goes through the never ending cycle of comparing themselves to others and in turn becoming envious of others. Take it from me, a teenager, it is particularly bad. I am constantly surrounded by people that achieve so highly in school whilst succeeding in many other areas of life. I sit and listen to them talk about their perfect test scores, fun nights out, and overall perfect lives. I think about how pathetic my life looks next to theirs. But, is it actually? As people, we are consistently comparing ourselves to others while picking at ourselves in the areas they succeed better in. At the time that I am sitting thinking about how behind I am, I fail to consider that the person that I envy, may be in the exact same position I am in. Around a week ago, I gave a speech to my English class about The Pressure Of Knowing Your Future As A Young Adult. In this speech I shared my personal experiences in fear of how I do not know exactly what I want to do with my future and how much pressure I feel. During the discussion questions of this speech a girl in my class raised her hand and said along the lines of how reassuring it is to hear that someone as smart as me is worrying about this as well. This took me aback as I did not realize people truly felt this way about me. Maybe I was a person that people look at and envy. Maybe instead of comparing myself to others I should take in just how much I am doing and focus on continuing that. Thinking these negative thoughts about yourself is never the answer to helping you succeed. It only hurts you. This is a friendly reminder that you are doing enough. Please reflect on all of your successes that many people may envy. Try looking at yourself from an outsider's perspective and see what they would envy about you. Comparison is not the answer, self reflection is. 

- Sophiea R., 11th Grade