“Comparison is the thief of joy”
We’ve all heard this expression and have shared it with others.
“Don’t compare yourself to what others are doing, you’re on your own journey”
We’ve heard that one too.
I’ve done fair share of posting these messages on social media for marketing and likes and attention and to help others. The more I think about it, however, the more I wonder if I’m doing a disservice.
Let me explain.
We all agree that social media is essentially a highlight reel for most people. We post only the good stuff. The new talent agency we signed with, the big voice job we just booked, our new demo that showcases our talent. We rarely post the bad stuff. The hundreds of rejection emails, that National campaign that we lost, or what that demo actually cost. We show our best side most of the time. It’s in our nature to show off. What good would it be to post our failures and show that we are actually human and vulnerable?
In this sense it’s good not to compare. When you look at just the good stuff, you are prone to set unrealistic goals for yourself and set yourself up for failure. As the expression goes “It’s a trap!” 🪤
Two points to make here.
1. Comparing yourself to others can be a good thing, if done in a healthy way. Ignore most of what social media is showing you. Compare to what others are doing in real life. What good habits do others have that you can imitate? How’s your work ethic compared to others? At the end of the day, you have to answer to that person in the mirror. Use your judgement to see how you can get better and find that path that works for you.
2. When people say, (and I’m guilty of this) it’s your journey no one else’s or you’re unique and it’s all about what you do and you and you and you, it strikes a narcissistic tone with me. We are all narcissists at a degree. We are always looking inward, have “self” care. We only post the good stuff because we want to look the best and be the best. It’s all about us.
I’ve found that having a servant’s heart and helping others does the most for me. Am I better than all of you because I do that? No freaking way. I’ve posted all that bragging stuff in the past because I thought it would get me ahead.
Spoiler alert 🚨: it didn’t. It only left me wanting more because others posted better stuff.
Drop me a comment and let’s talk about comparison. It is truly the thief of joy?