Social comparison

Photo by Georgia de Lotz

Curious List

Watch: Rachel Smets Stop Comparing! Be the best you

Read: Anna Schaffner: How to Escape the Hedonic Treadmill and Be Happier

I’d be happy if I only had… that new car, latest phone, bigger house or role promotion. But would you really?

In this episode we look at social comparison and how comparing ourselves to others we know or see on social media can challenge our own wellbeing.

Perhaps the seemingly perfect lifestyles we see portrayed online aren’t reflective of real life. And perhaps those who look like they have it all aren’t happy because of the burden and pressure to maintain it.

Listen for our thoughts on:

• How constantly comparing ourselves with others isn’t sustainable

• What if you choose to opt out?

• Balancing what you want, with what you actually need

• How achieving that balance broadens perspectives and can shift emotions  

Perhaps if we bring our awareness to what we need to achieve a balance, it might help our mental and emotional wellbeing. If we stop comparing, it frees us up.

There’s also a nuance here. Because as humans we are wired to compare by default. It’s what we do. So perhaps there’s also instances where comparing makes us realise there are many positives in our lives and we can use that as motivation.

So, do you want to be a follower for the rest of your life?

Or do you want to change and make life a single player game, telling your own story, gaining more personal satisfaction and higher wellbeing as a result.

Join us in the cafe!

Listen to the latest episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or below.   

Listen to full episode :