Don’t Dare to Compare

I tend to watch more Netflix than I care to admit. My favourite genre of television series tends to be comedy! Some of my favorites are New Girl, Scrubs, Arrested Development, Brooklyn 99… Or basically anything with dry, off beat humour. However the more I watch the more I realize one thing: we as women are bombarded with the idea to be the fun and sexy girl next door we must be a size 0.

As women we are bombarded by so many “ideal” women daily. At the super market checkout with all of the Cosmo and celebrity magazine covers, the billboard for a country music radio station of the super thin models mid section, and even with the women we interact with daily!

There is a very wise saying that says, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” When I allow myself to compare my body journey to an airbrushed celebrity, an actress, or even a friend is quickest way to feel like crap about myself.

The comparison doesn’t stop there. I can begin to compare myself as a wife – I don’t bake enough, I don’t keep the house as clean as I should, I don’t wear makeup daily. I can begin to compare my health to others who have endless energy. I can begin to compare our financial situation to others and feel like we can be further than we are currently at.

Social media can also be something that can cause unhealthy comparison. We put our best selves online… Not the moments when we are having a horrible hair day, the picture of the dishes that have piled up, nor the selfie couples moment after a huge fight.

One of my favorite pastors has said, “The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.”

With this in mind it is a conscious decision to not go there in my brain. It is the decision to celebrate others milestones and victories instead of comparing them to our lack of. It is the decision that I am okay with who I am and what I look like but I am going to push myself to be the best I can be in my life and not someone else’s personal best. It’s a choice that I am going to cultivate the gifts God gave me and not compare them to the gifts that others have (example: I sing so off key it’s painful.. I’m not reaching to be the next Mariah Carey).

I hope that somewhere in this little blurb you find happiness and peace with yourself. We were all designed to be like snow flakes and be proud of our differences and bond over what makes us the same. It is in the celebration of differences and accomplishments of others that make the world a lot happier of a place.