The Dilemma of Social Comparison: How To Stop Comparing Yourself To Others On Social media
- mahnoor nadeem
- Dec 6, 2022
- 5 min read
The internet is a fascinating place for people. It can affect mental health very quickly. People with weak mindsets and insecurities can be a victim of comparing their selves with others. Sometimes it stops us from being our best version. Social comparison is one of the biggest mind traps. In which you compare yourself to others and start losing sight of your value and exclusivity and set yourself up for a life of dissatisfaction- wishing and wanting everything you don't have at that stage f life. One should never fall into the trap of thinking the grass is greener on the other side. What can we do to reframe this negative self-talk?
An example of routine comparison
Once I saw A boy on the internet, he was so handsome that I forgot that I could be gorgeous in my skin. I started following him. He was rich as well, and I forgot how comfortable life I was living. Example 1 I saw a girl with a perfect figure size. I forgot how healthy and natural my body is. I started following her diet and beauty regime, and then I started having acne and weakness in my body. Example 2 These are examples of people who see others on the internet and start following them blindly. They forget about their individuality and exclusivity. I always recommend that my client see perfection only when they look in the mirror. Because everyone is imperfect, and there is perfection in being imperfect. "The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel." ~Steven Furtick How Social Comparison Works: According to psychologist Leon Festinger, we make a social comparison for two reasons, To assess how we perform in a particular area of our lives and to see where we stand in society. To learn about ourselves, Festinger said this drive is as powerful as thirst and hunger. It's an innate trait that all human beings experience. There are two types of it. The downward n this, The comparison involves comparing yourself to someone you perceive as worse off than yourself. It is because of your weak self-esteem. It somewhere gives us the satisfaction that we are still not there, which could be worse. The upward in this, the comparison involves comparing yourself to someone you perceive as better off. It can positively or negatively impact your psyche, depending on how you frame your perception. Why You Should Avoid Social Comparison: The Dilemma of Social Comparison: The Urges Of Comparing Yourself And How To Stop
The Internet is a very fascinating place for people. It can affect mental health very quickly. People with weak mindsets and insecurities can be a victim of comparing their selves with others. Sometimes it stops us from beig our best version. Social comparison is one of the biggest mental traps. In which, You compare yourself to others and start you losing the sight of your personal value and exclusivity and set yourself up for a life of dissatisfaction- wishing and wanting everything you don’t have at that stage f life. One should never fall into the trap of thinking the grass is greener on the other side? What can we do to reframe this negative self-talk?
An example of routinely comparison
Once I saw A boy on the internet, he was so handsome that I forgot that I could be beautiful and gorgeous in my skin. I started following him. He was rich as well, and I forgot how comfortable life I was living.
Example 1
I saw a girl with a perfect figure size. I forgot how healthy and natural my body is. I started following her diet, her beauty regime, and then I started having acne and weakness in my body.
Example 2
These are examples of people who see others on the internet and start following them blindly. They forget about their individuality and exclusivity. I always recommend that my client see perfection only when they look in the mirror. Because everyone is imperfect, and there is perfection in being imperfect.
“The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” ~Steven Furtick
How Social Comparison Works:
According to psychologist Leon Festinger, we make a social comparison for two reasons, To assess how we are performing in a particular area of our lives and to see where we stand in society To learn about ourselves, Festinger said this drive is as powerful as thirst and hunger. It's an innate trait that all human beings experience. There are two types of it.
The downward n this, The comparison involves comparing yourself to someone you perceive as worse off than yourself. It is because of your weak self-esteem. It somewhere gives us the satisfaction that we are still not there, which could be worse.
The upward in this, the comparison involves comparing yourself to someone you perceive as better off. This can positively or negatively impact your psyche, depending on how you frame your perception.
Why You Should Avoid Social Comparison:
Perfection is a delusion. Social Media has made us think that everyone's life is perfect because they only choose to show their best. You see pictures of your friends on the perfect fantasy vacation, not realizing the issues and problems behind the photographs. This delusion of perfection is not a good gauge for evaluating your life, so do yourself a favor and remember that you're only seeing a selected, and tiny part of the story on Social Media. It might be possible the person is lying or showing fake emotions in that picture.
Life isn't always on a happy track. Sometimes life isn't fair. Some people have inherent benefits over others. They're born rich, they have natural talents, the perfect features, a more extensive Circle that helped them land that dream job and etc. It is like you are comparing apples to oranges and often makes you feel bad about your existence.
This type of social comparison stops you from becoming your best version,
Turns friends into foes. When you constantly compare yourself to your friends, you lose the ability to celebrate their joy and success. This lack of support causes conflicts, problems and creates separation between you. Remember that, you'll want your friends to celebrate with you, so cheer and be happy for them when it's their time.
"Comparison is the death of joy." ~Mark Twain
3 Empowering Strategies for Gauging Success and Motivating Growth:
1. Use temporal comparison vs. social comparison
Instead of comparing yourself with others, compare yourself with your old self.
2. Live with an attitude of gratitude.
Be grateful for what you have in your life. You cannot have everything in your life. The more thankful you feel, the less compelled you will be to compare yourself to others. Don’t wait for big things, Be grateful for even small things in life
3. Learn to FULLY Accept and love yourself.
Appreciate your strengths and weaknesses.
.png)



Comments