Comparison is the Thief of Joy.

Looking for peace within the validation of others’ perception will only ever lead you to, and keep you in, misery. The best thing about you is that no one else is you.

Every day, we see people we’re “supposed” to model, items we’re “supposed” to buy, and clothes we’re “supposed” to wear. We are painted a picture by the media, our peers, and, overall, society, of how we are supposed to be. But how can we truly be, if we’re living life from the perception of others?

Personally, some of the most beautiful people I have ever seen are individuals confident in who they are internally. Beauty is subjective. Meaning someone’s perception of you has everything to do with their own internalized insecurities and perspectives. But beauty isn’t the only thing we compare; we compare everything: education, jobs, cars, houses, relationships, and so on. If you are constantly looking for better, for the thing someone else has, how will you ever be truly fulfilled within your own life?

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have role models and people we look up to, because those are the people who fill us with inspiration and motivation. But if we don’t appreciate what we have right in front of us, then we will never be fulfilled with anything we achieve.

Constant comparison to others will only lead you to a life that isn’t your own. To own your life, it must be one thing, yours.

I know how much comparison can isolate and suffocate oneself. Constant internalized belittling makes it feel like everyone is ahead and yet you're stuck, feeling as if the world is moving on without you. A feeling that you may never be good enough or lack something everyone seems to naturally have. But in complete honesty, no one ever knows what they're really doing. Not that one girl you envy, not your grandparents, not the wealthy businessman, not the celebrity you idolize, no one. So why do we pressure ourselves to have everything figured out? I think it’s because we believe everyone else does, but in reality, they don’t.

Overcoming constant comparison is incredibly difficult. It quite literally takes rewiring the way you think. Yet, in doing so, you're able to take back ownership over your life and live a life without trying to cater to the perception of others.