Comparison as a whole is not an inherent negative. In fact, there are benefits to comparison specifically upward comparison. Upward comparison is disambiguated from downwards comparison by two factors. First is that upward comparison inspires positive change and motivation. Secondly, downward comparison analysis others in a negative way putting them down to make oneself feel better. Upwards…

Undoubtedly, the greatest protection against being swept into a comparison trap is to develop a strong sense of self. In addition, having a firm understanding of self is a great way of pulling yourself out of a comparison trap. To create a stable sense of self-involves cultivating your identity and self-esteem while nourishing relationships with…

How do you perceive yourself? Do you measure and view yourself in comparison to others? This is an important topic because self-perception dramatically impacts your life. Without a solid self-identity, it’s hard to have healthy relationships. It’s also very hard to develop a sense of worth if you have no sense of self. And if…

  We all compare, but how do we overcome? 1. Constrain Limiting social media use is one of the most important tools to constrain the amount of comparison we experience. Anything from setting daily goals for how often you log on to specific apps or setting time limits are valuable. Identify what apps, news sources…

Social comparison is generally most potent for the young. A 2015 study by researchers at the universities of Essex and Cambridge showed that the tendency to engage in comparison declines across one’s lifespan. One reason, they hypothesized, is that as we age, we’re more likely to evaluate ourselves against the yardstick of our own past…