In this episode of Why Do I Do This?, I answer a listener's question about why we constantly compare ourselves to people who seem further ahead in life.
I explore the psychology of social comparison, why other people's apparent success can undermine our self-worth, and how social media makes it easy to mistake carefully curated snapshots for the reality of someone's life.
But what if envy isn't necessarily something to feel ashamed of? What if it's actually telling you something about what you want?
I share practical exercises to help you redefine success on your own terms, challenge the comparisons you make and take back control of your attention.
Because there is no universal timetable for success, happiness or personal development. And somebody else's success doesn't make yours any less valuable.
Takeaways
👉 Comparison is natural, but it can distort your perspective. We often compare what we know about ourselves with what we believe to be true about somebody else.
👉 Social media shows snapshots, not whole lives. You're seeing somebody else's highlights without necessarily seeing their struggles, sacrifices or setbacks.
👉 Envy can reveal what matters to you. Instead of treating it as evidence of inadequacy, ask what someone else's achievement represents and what it tells you about your own ambitions.
👉 Define success on your own terms. The things you think you should want aren't necessarily the things that will make you happy.
👉 There is no universal timeline. If you're going to compare yourself with anybody, compare yourself with who you were yesterday, not somebody else's today.
Signed Copy Pre-order from West End Lane Bookshop
JOIN THE BOOK WAITLIST
https://www.johnnylawrence.co.uk/book
Kindle Pre-Order
Website
Johnny’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/johnnylawrenceuk/?hl=en
Podcast Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/whydoidothisofficial/?hl=en
The Slavey of Addiction Documentary