“Comparison Is the Killer of Joy” by Kyer Collard

Do you ever compare yourself to someone on a daily basis? Most of us do, and it’s destroying our mental health. Firstly, research studies have found a heightened chance of depression and anxiety involved with comparing yourself to others. This happens because it causes you to focus more on someone else and what you don’t have.

Secondly, people compare themselves with others because social media often showcases only the highlights of people’s lives. People tend to post the good things, avoiding the bad to feel good about themselves. This curated view can distort our perceptions and fuel unhealthy comparisons.

Thirdly, comparing yourself to others can negatively affect your body and health. When you compare yourself to very attractive people, like movie stars or models, your brain sets unrealistic expectations. This isn’t healthy for teenagers or adults. Your brain reacts to others who seem more strong, more attractive, or wealthier, even though these people might not have true happiness and could have mental health issues.

It’s impossible for the human brain to completely avoid comparisons, as it constantly measures one’s abilities against others. However, you can transform these comparisons into positive affirmations. For example: “Oh, this person is very sick and I’m not; thank you for good health,” or “Thank God I am not homeless, knowing I’ve been in a home my whole life,” or “Thank God I’m not starving because I’ve always had the means to buy food.”

These affirmations help shift your mindset from negative comparisons to gratitude for what you have. In today’s world, especially with social media, it’s challenging to avoid comparisons entirely. However, by focusing on positive comparisons, you can feel grateful and even be inspired to help others.

In conclusion, comparison is indeed the killer of joy. This article provides insights on how to prevent it from killing your joy.