Do flashy social media posts trigger your envious feelings? The triggered feelings spark the comparison thoughts within you, making you feel insecure and less deserving. Everybody is susceptible to comparison traps; how you handle it is what makes the difference.
Comparisons steal your sanity, paychecks, and joy. You will spend loads of mental energy and money trying to keep up with the glitzy lifestyle. When you stop comparing yourself to other people, you break up a vicious cycle that will drown you if left spinning.
How To Determine Whether Comparison Affects Your Life?
You may be completely unaware that you are suffering from a comparison trap. To determine whether comparison affects your life, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you make impulse purchases on social media?
- Do you suffer from anxiety or fear of missing out (FOMO) when you spend time on social media?
- When people get good tidings, do you become annoyed?
- Do you check the number of views of your social media posts severally in a day?
- Do you delete social media posts when the response does not agree well with your sentiments?
If the answer to most of the above questions is yes, you may be in a comparison trap.
Effects of Comparing Yourself With Other People
The comparison trap has many adverse effects. Some include:
- High rates of depression and anxiety
- Anxious and negative notions that are hard to evade
- Financial constraints in efforts to keep up with the latest trends
Studies indicate that comparison leaves people feeling bad. The negativity takes a toll on people’s mental health and financial wellness. When your friends start living large, you may be tempted to make extravagant purchases to match them. Trying to keep up with the Joneses will sink you into a financial abyss that may take you a lifetime to get out.
It is advisable to lead a life that fits your budget. Avoid social media glamour traps that may lead you down the debt trail in a bid to impress your followers. When you stop comparing yourself to other people, you save yourself from financial constraints and mental illness.
Tips on How To Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
- Discover and combat your triggers
Triggers are stimuli and situations which prompt a reaction. These are things that make you feel degraded. Rejection is an example of a trigger. Strutting through a high-end neighborhood may set your comparison game.
To combat this, make a list of things that you frequently envy. Decipher on how they impact you negatively. With this, you will realize making comparisons is a waste of time. Try to avoid situations that trigger your comparisons; avoid that high-end restaurant if being there will spike your fears. Use this newfound mentality to stop comparing yourself to other people.
- Keep in mind that insecurities and fears are universal
It’s perfectly normal to compare yourself with other people. The human mind is wired to operate that way. So do not feel odd; instead, use the comparison as motivation to work hard and achieve more. Through this, you will boost your self-esteem.
Always avoid feeling inferior to others. The overpowering feeling causes triggers that offset comparisons. Keep in mind other people are facing similar situations and they are braving them successfully. Turn your fears and insecurities into motivation to achieve more.
- Be wary of your social media feed
Social media is awash with glamorous photos and glitzy lifestyles. However, a scroll through your Instagram feed may leave you questioning your lifestyle. Remember, people only post what they want you to see on social media. Therefore, the picturesque lifestyle they paint on social media may not be a reality on the ground.
Social media awareness helps you to be wary of clout chasing and its consequences. It will help you to be real while maintaining your humility.
- Practice gratitude
Be grateful for what you have. Strive to commit your efforts to the good things in your life. Constantly remind yourself that you do not need more to live a full life. Be grateful to every moment, both small and big.
- Set boundaries on the amount of time you spend on social media
Social media is listed as the biggest trigger for comparison games. It can influence your mental well-being. You can set some of these boundaries to protect yourself from social media pressure:
- Unfollow any handles that trigger your sadness
- Set the maximum amount of time you will spend on social media and stick to it
- Remind yourself that you are not obligated to reply to every message and comment; this will save you time.
- Turn off your phone when doing other important tasks. A phone is not important when having a meal with your family.
- Before logging in to your socials, ask yourself whether it is really important or you are doing it out of boredom?
- Set goals and compete against them
Focus your energy on your own goals instead of comparing yourself with others. Set a period to reflect on the goals and see whether you will achieve them. Goals give you clarity and a perspective to follow.
Goals will help you to avoid time wastage and help you to live a better life.
- Double down on your strengths
Everyone cannot be an actor, star athlete or prime-time television host. Use your little-known accomplishments, strengths, and talents to build up your self-esteem. For example, if you are good at babysitting, regularly remind yourself that you are the best in that trade. Focusing on your strengths will up your confidence levels.
Comparison traps are bad for your pockets and mental well-being. Try to avoid falling for social media pressure. Appreciate the little things you achieve daily. Keep in mind that social media is meant for fun and limit the time you spend on it. Discover what triggers off your comparison trap and work on countering it. Making comparisons is universal but how you handle them is the game-changer. By following the mentioned tips, you will save yourself from mental illness and financial dents.
