COMPARE ME NOT

IN A WORLD FILLED WITH CREATIVE EXPRESSION, WE OFTEN COMPARE OURSELVES TO THOSE AROUND US. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS BRINGS ON COMPARISON ANXIETY? WE DIG A LITTLE DEEPER...

- AAQEELAH FLORIS

"Why am I not as good as him? Why aren't I as successful as her? My life seems so boring compared to theirs!" If this sounds familiar, blame your inner critic. And although some comparison can contribute to your growth, doing it obsessively - to the point where you actually feel anxious - could lead to bigger issues and comparison anxiety.

WHAT IS THAT?

We've probably all done it: benchmarked ourselves against someone else and, at some point, felt the need to try and keep up with those we follow on social media or in our personal lives. This, in a nutshell, is comparison anxiety. Self-comparison, often done privately and in your mind, has positive and negative sides.

A healthy form of comparison contributes to your personal growth and mostly occurs if you have a mentor or someone you look up to. You aspire to have the same driven demeanour, positive attitude or zest for life. And, often, observing and learning from them can help you accomplish your own goals.

On the flipside, an unhealthy form of comparison usually involves nit-picking at your faults and comparing yourself to others obsessively, which can negatively influence your emotions. This is particularly true when comparing yourself to those you believe are better than you in some way.

WHAT CAUSES IT?