Comparison is the Thief of Joy
“Since before middle school and I was constantly trying to be someone I wasn’t.
And I was constantly trying to be someone that I found aesthetically pleasing online.
And it just wasn’t me.
It wasn’t realistic and it wasn’t something that anyone should really strive to do because it’s impossible to be someone that you’re not.
All these people look like they’re having so much fun. And I’m sitting here doing nothing, like, what is wrong with me that you know I can’t do this or I can’t do that? You see all these Instagram models and everything like that, and you’re like, ‘oh my gosh you’re so gorgeous’ and ‘why can’t I look like that?’
You are comparing yourself to others constantly. There is definitely a huge red flag. If you cannot see the ways that you can better yourself, then that’s a huge red flag because being someone else is not possible. You can’t take on another persona and be that if you’re really not. So it’s not going to get you anywhere, you’re not going to learn, you’re not going to grow, or get better from trying to be aesthetically pleasing for the purpose of other people. So it’s not worth it.”
Emily, age 16, in recovery from addiction
This content was created by Behavioral Health Innovators @bhinnov with funding from Alkermes Inspiration Grants®. If this post speaks to you, please share!
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