There are many quotes warning people never to compare themselves to others. "Comparison is the most poisonous element in the human heart......
There are many quotes warning people never to compare themselves to others.
"Comparison is the most poisonous element in the human heart." -Euginia Herlihy
"The grass is always greener on the other side."
"Look in the mirror other than your neighbor." -Frank Sonnenberg
"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." -Oscar Wilde
And my favorite, "compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not who someone else is today." -Jordan Peterson
The central message is clear, if you are looking at others, you are neglecting yourself.
Let's take a look at comparison and depression.
Why is comparison bad?
Is it always bad?
Comparison and depression go hand in hand.
When you are comparing yourself to others it is almost always comparing what you don't have to what they do have.
We almost always naturally see the advantages others have, the life they seem to live, the friends and successes they show off on social media... the list goes on.
This inevitably makes you feel worthless and blinds you to the things you do have.
Depression is the state of mind that tells you that everyone else is better and that you don't matter; comparing yourself to others reinforces that inaccurate assessment.
It also robs other people of their lived experiences.
If you see someone else's beautiful house or a new car, do you ever think about how hard they've hard to work to make that amount of money?
Have you ever considered all the sacrifices their life has required to get where they are?
Probably not, because most people only compare what they see to what they have.
Normally people get jealous and then quickly move on after making a snide remark.
However, depression stops you from moving past the comparison and moving on with the rest of your day.
Depression forces you to think only about that comparison over and over and robs you of thinking about what you do have.
It digs that hole deeper and deeper making it harder and harder to get out.
This is why social media has become such a danger to so many young people, especially teenagers.
Puberty creates a lot of self-doubts as self-awareness increases.
As self-awareness increases so does your awareness of others.
Social media opens the door to the most beautiful, most successful, most popular, most funny, and most intelligent people on the planet.
Imagine then how it feels to be depressed and inundated with images of these people for hours a day every single day.
STOP.
As soon as you notice that you are comparing yourself to others, STOP.
Turn your attention to anything else.
Here are some ideas that will help you direct your thoughts to something better:
1) Get off of social media (or at least limit your time to an hour a day)
2) Focus on learning a new skill
3) Practice mindfulness meditation
4) Write a letter of gratitude about a person you are truly grateful for
5) Reach out to friends or family and talk on the phone, or get together in person
6) Go exercise!
7) Read a new book
8) Create goals for your life
Each of these practices gives you control over your mind and produces positive effects by engaging in them
Depression makes you think there's nothing you can do about your life when in reality you have far more control over your circumstances than you think.
Comparison and depression go hand-in-hand.
But, you can teach yourself to stop comparing yourself to others and re-focus your attention on bettering your own life.
If you are unhappy with your life, you don't have to passively watch others live theirs- focus on bettering your own life through conscious effort!
Make goals, learn skills, develop your relationships, and focus on your own life.
And, to come full circle, "compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not who someone else is today." Jordan Peterson.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
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Medication is often prescribed for anxiety due to the fact that it works quickly to ease symptoms of distress or panic attacks in some cases. However, this should always be discussed with your doctor so they can provide guidance on what's right for you and the type of medication best suited for your needs.
Addressing anxiety is crucial because it can significantly impact your quality of life and overall well-being. Left untreated, anxiety can lead to more severe mental health issues, relationship problems, and difficulty functioning in daily life.
Yes, Medicaid provides insurance coverage for therapy services specifically designed to help individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Access to licensed therapists who specialize in these areas is available within the Medicaid network.
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