The Thief of Joy

I am sure that many of you have heard the phrase, “comparison is the thief of joy.” As I have gotten older, I have realized just how true this statement is. Today I wanted to chat a bit about this topic, because I feel that I have learned a lot about it over the years, and I understand it well.

 I think that it is normal to compare ourselves to others. We seem to do it naturally, and even subconsciously at times. We compare ourselves to our family members, our friends, and even complete strangers on the internet. While a little harmless comparison once in a while is no big deal, it can have detrimental effects if it were to be continuous. But when does it cross that line?

While I was never one to let social media affect me negatively, I think that we can all say that we’ve compared ourselves to someone online before. The problem with this is that some people still do not see that social media is a highlight reel. I do not see anything wrong with showcasing your achievements or your best photos online. I don’t see a problem with sharing great moments you experience in life. I think that we all want to showcase our best selves to the world, and that is completely ok. The problem comes when people assume that someone’s life is perfect simply because they post about the good moments. Even the most beautiful person you follow on Instagram has their flaws. Their life is not 100% figured out every moment of every day. They have bad days, just as we all do. Never assume that someone or their life is perfect. This is never the case.

I know people who share all of the good and all of the bad online. What you put out onto the internet is up to you, but I think we would all be better off if we spread a little positivity now and then. For myself, I use social media as a way to stay connected with friends/family, to find inspiration, to uplift and inspire others, and to share my passions. I never want anyone to think that I am perfect, or that I have everything together all of the time. I like being open and honest on social media as often as I can. It is important to me that I keep my content genuine because people can relate to that. It can resonate with people, and that is all I want. I choose to share content that is more positive because that is what I want to put out into the word. That is what I want my life to be about. I’ve gained the confidence to share my voice with the world through my writing, and social media has helped me share what I believe is my purpose in life. It will always be a goal of mine to stay true to who I am, both in real life and on social media.

Comparing ourselves doesn’t just stop at social media. We do it in real life sometimes too. It is important to remember that every single person in this world has their own unique timeline. If a friend of yours is having a baby, that doesn’t mean that you are falling behind in life. If your younger sibling gets their dream job before you do, that doesn’t mean that you are a failure. If your parents got married at 22, and you are 23 and single, that doesn’t mean you will never get married. Please understand that the right things will happen for you at the right time. We are all living completely different lives. You are your own person, and this is the way it should be.  We all have different priorities as well, so work on what is important to you, not what’s important to anyone else. While a little bit of jealousy is normal, you shouldn’t let it overpower your happiness for those you care about.

Remember to cheer people on. Cheer on your friend who got a raise. Cheer on your friend who is traveling the world. Cheer on your friend who just got engaged. Your time will come, I promise. For now, be happy for other people, and be happy for yourself. Be proud of where you are in your life right now. So long as you are making progress and working toward your goals at a pace that works for you, things are going to take off for you. And when you experience achievements and good moments, the right people will be by your side, supporting you too. And it is important to be there to uplift and support your people when they’re struggling just as much as when they are on top of the world. Be a present friend, girlfriend, daughter, etc. Be there for the people you love.

I hope that this message was helpful today. I think it something that people need reminding of sometimes (including myself).

Thank you so much for reading!