Picture this: Polly spent her entire life as a shadow. At every step, she compared herself to those around her—colleagues, friends, even strangers on social media. When her best friend got a promotion, Emma drowned in self-pity, convinced she’d never measure up. When her neighbour bought a new car, she felt like a failure for still driving her old one. She never pursued her own dreams, too paralysed by the fear of falling short. As the years went by, Emma remained stuck, watching as others moved ahead while she lagged behind, always yearning but never achieving.

Now, imagine Ron. Ron had the same opportunities as Polly, but he chose a different path. He didn’t care about what others were doing; he only measured himself against his own potential. Ron celebrated his small wins, learned from his failures, and focused on his personal growth. Without the weight of comparison dragging him down, Ron thrived. She built a life of fulfillment, not because he was better than anyone else, but because he was better than he was yesterday.

The difference between Polly and Ron? One was imprisoned by comparison, while the other was liberated by self-focus.

Now I know I preach a lot about how comparison is the “thief of joy”, but I still don’t think anybody is listening. How many times am I going to have to say it before it gets into your mind?

Comparison does nothing but weigh us down. I used to add the other argument that sometimes it can motivate us – like when you have a friend in science class at school who gets similar grades to you and the two of you compete to see who can do better. As soon as you step down that road, I’m afraid it’s impossible to get off. Or is it?

Which life would you rather live: a successful, long, (happy) life, or a miserable, imprisoned one? I hope you chose the first one. And you know what you can do right now, one thing that is pretty damn easy to implement into your daily life? STOP COMPARING.

Comparing yourself to others – in whatever form that may be – only sucks everything out of you until you have nothing left. I’ll say it again and again. No one cares what you are doing. No one cares how successful you are, what car you drive, what (if any) promotion you get at work. Everyone is too caught up in their own bubble to give a damn! It’s just like being at the gym for the first time and thinking that everyone is staring at you… false, they’re too tied up in their own thoughts and emotions to care.

Comparison is a thief that robs you of joy, progress, and self-worth. When you constantly measure your life against others, you trap yourself in a cycle of dissatisfaction and self-doubt. No matter how much you achieve, it never feels like enough because there’s always someone who seems to have more. Comparison distracts you from your own path, making you blind to your unique strengths and accomplishments. It breeds envy, resentment, and a deep sense of inadequacy, preventing you from truly thriving. The truth is, comparison is a pointless, self-destructive habit that only holds you back from becoming the best version of yourself. That’s the end of it.

Do you know what can be even more damaging? Comparing yourself to who you used to be. Whether that’s in work, personal growth, even clothes size. Whatever superficial thing it is, it’s not worth it.

Imagine someone who used to be in peak physical shape during their college years—running marathons, hitting the gym daily, and maintaining a strict diet. Now, years later, life has changed. They’ve started a demanding career, perhaps started a family, and their priorities have shifted. When they look in the mirror, all they see is someone who doesn’t measure up to their younger self. They constantly compare their current body to what it used to be, feeling disappointed and frustrated with themselves. This fixation on who they were blinds them to the fact that they’ve gained so much in other areas—career success, meaningful relationships, and wisdom. Instead of recognising their current strengths, they become trapped in a cycle of self-blame and regret, unable to appreciate their journey or the person they are today.

Self-comparison creates a distorted view of your personal growth, focusing only on the past rather than the journey you’ve taken since. Whether it’s nostalgia for a time when you were fitter, more social, or more successful, this kind of comparison traps you in a loop of regret and self-criticism. You end up chasing a version of yourself that no longer exists, ignoring the progress you’ve made and the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Instead of embracing who you are now, you cling to an idealised past, which only hinders your ability to move forward. True growth comes from appreciating your present self, flaws and all, and understanding that change is not just inevitable but also necessary for personal development.

Instead of dwelling on who you used to be or what others are doing, why not shake things up and focus on the here and now? Life isn’t a competition or a rerun of your greatest hits—it’s an ongoing adventure! Embrace where you are today and take pride in the steps you’ve taken to get here. Shift your mindset from “I wish I was…” to “I’m excited to become…”. Let go of the comparisons, both past and present, and start living in the moment. Celebrate the little victories, laugh off the setbacks, and just get on with it! The key to happiness isn’t in being the best or clinging to who you were, but in being fully present and enjoying the ride.

Let’s do this together.