Max opened up his mail with trepidation, recognising the emblem in the left-hand corner as the private school he had attended.
He groaned inwardly. Just as he had anticipated, it was an invitation to the ten-year reunion of his year level.
Max loathed reunions. He detested having to see all his peers again and hear them talking about how great their lives were. He couldn’t bear to hear how they were progressing as lawyers, bankers, doctors, and everything he was not. He didn’t want to see them all arrive with their new sports cars and stunning partners, as Max had neither of these.
For Max, this reunion night would be a repeat of the story he constantly told himself: the story of “I am a loser”.
Unfortunately, this is a story many of us can identify with because this story stems from comparing ourselves with others.
We see ourselves as having less than or not being good enough, which diminishes our own value and achievements in comparison to others. Being over-critical and judgemental with ourselves can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
What we don’t realise is that, in most cases, the information you are comparing yourself to is inaccurate. It is natural human behaviour for others to present an edited version of themselves and their lives, while not revealing their true selves or their genuine struggles.
For this week’s challenge, instead of dwelling on someone else’s success—how good looking they are, how many friends they have, how much money they have—spend time focusing on your own values. Ask yourself—what kind of person do I want to be?
What kind of relationship do I want? What is important to me?
Learn to use the answers to these questions as your measuring stick to achieve what you want rather than comparing yourself with other people. Compare yourself to your own values, your highest priorities, and to being the best version of yourself. No one can be better than you at being you! You are enough.
So stop the comparisons and redirect your energy and attention to your own goals and what you need to do to achieve them.
Forever creating
Deborah Ruth
