Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through social media at 2 AM, marinating in that special sauce of self-doubt while watching someone post about their third vacation this month? Ah yes, nothing like a midnight crisis triggered by Karen’s “casual” yacht photo. ðĨïļ
The Instagram vs. Reality Show Nobody Asked For
Let’s be real â we’re all guilty of playing the comparison game. It’s like we’re all starring in our own reality shows, but we only get to see the blooper reels of our lives while watching everyone else’s perfectly edited episodes.
You know what’s funny though? That person you’re envying right now? They’re probably sitting in their pajamas, scrolling through someone else’s feed, wondering why their life isn’t as perfect as that person’s. It’s a never-ending cycle of “grass is greener” syndrome, except everyone’s grass is actually just a really good photo filter. ðą
The Secret Chapters Nobody Posts About
Here’s something we tend to forget while we’re busy comparing our Chapter 2 to someone else’s Chapter 20: Everyone’s book is written differently. Some people start their stories with a plot twist, others with a slow burn. Some have more characters, others have more action scenes. And guess what? None of these books come with a standardized publishing schedule.
That friend who just bought their dream house? You didn’t see the six years they ate nothing but ramen noodles to save up. That colleague who seems to have it all together? They might be hanging on by a thread and three cups of coffee. That influencer with the perfect morning routine? There’s probably a chaotic outtake reel we’ll never see. â
The Plot Twist: Your Journey is Supposed to be Different
Think about it â how boring would it be if everyone’s life followed the same exact script? If we all got married at the same age, landed our dream jobs on the same day, and figured out how to fold fitted sheets at the same time? (Though let’s be honest, some mysteries of the universe are meant to remain unsolved. Looking at you, fitted sheets. ðïļ)
Your journey isn’t supposed to look like anyone else’s because â plot twist â you’re not anyone else! You’re the star of your own unique story, complete with your own timeline, your own challenges, and your own victories. And just like any good story, it’s the unexpected turns and personal growth that make it worth reading.
The Social Media Mirage
Social media is like a magician’s show â it’s all about the art of selective revelation. People share their promotions but not their rejections, their victories but not their struggles, their best angles but not their bad hair days. And that’s okay! Nobody is obligated to share their struggles. But we are obligated to remind ourselves that we’re seeing a carefully curated highlight reel.
Remember: Behind every “I woke up like this” post is probably 27 deleted photos and a minor crisis about lighting. Behind every “just closed this huge deal!” announcement are countless unanswered emails and rejected proposals. Behind every “living my best life!” caption might be someone who’s just trying their best to keep it together. ðą
Writing Your Own Story
Instead of comparing your life to others, try this revolutionary approach: Compare yourself to who you were yesterday. Are you kinder? Stronger? Did you finally remember to water your plants? That’s growth, baby! ðŋ
Your journey is unique because it’s yours. Those detours you took? They’re part of your character development. Those setbacks? Major plot points leading to your next big break. That time you thought you were falling behind? Surprise â you were just taking the scenic route to exactly where you needed to be.
The Plot Thickens
Here’s the beautiful truth: While you’re busy comparing your life to someone else’s, you might be missing the amazing plot twists in your own story. Maybe your chapter 5 doesn’t look like their chapter 5 because you’re writing a completely different genre â and that’s not just okay, it’s exactly how it should be.
The Happy (Non) Ending
So the next time you feel the urge to compare your journey to someone else’s, remember this: You’re not behind, you’re not failing, and you’re definitely not doing life wrong. You’re exactly where you need to be in your own story.
And hey, if you really must compare, compare yourself to a houseplant: Growing at your own pace, requiring your own unique blend of sunlight and water, and occasionally dramatic when you don’t get enough attention. ðŠī
Remember: The only person you need to be better than is the person you were yesterday. And even then, some days are just about surviving â and that’s perfectly okay too. âĻ
P.S. If you’re reading this while scrolling through social media at 2 AM, this is your sign to go to bed. Your journey will still be uniquely yours in the morning. ðī