Why It’s Harmful to Compare Yourself to Others

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Verywell / Julie Bang

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The Verywell Mind Podcast's “Friday Fix” is a short episode that features a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern.

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Friday Fix: Episode 84

It’s tough to know how you’re doing unless you have someone to compare yourself against. After all, do you earn a lot of money? Are you tall? Are you a good basketball player? It all depends on who you’re comparing yourself to.

But comparisons can be harmful to your psychological well-being. 

Perhaps you compare your appearance to others. Or maybe you think everyone around you is happier than you are. 

It might not take long for you to decide that your life isn’t as good as everyone else’s life or that you aren’t ever going to be as successful as those around you.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to stop comparing yourself to other people. In this Friday Fix episode, I share how to recognize when you’re comparing yourself to others, why it’s bad for your mental health and the five things you can do to put an end to unhelpful comparisons.

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By Amy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.