The Paradox of Comparison: How to Stop Feeling Less by Embracing Your True Self
We’ve all been there.
Scrolling through social media, attending gatherings, or even just having a casual conversation, and suddenly, we find ourselves comparing.
It’s a natural instinct.
We see someone’s success, beauty, or achievements, and we think, “I’m not as good as them.” This feeling of inadequacy is all too familiar, and it often stems from the Ego’s need to define us by comparisons: more, less, better, worse, up, down, night, day.
But here’s a powerful truth: The only way you will ever feel less when you compare yourself to some people is by allowing yourself to feel more when you compare yourself to others.
The Ego’s Game: Limits and Comparisons
The Ego thrives on boundaries.
It needs limits—more and less, above and below. It’s the part of us that says, “You’re better than them because you have more money,” or “You’re worse than them because you haven’t achieved as much.”
This dichotomy creates a never-ending cycle of striving and feeling inadequate.
The Ego loves this game because it gives us a sense of identity, even if it’s based on superficial comparisons.
Think about it: When you compare yourself to someone else and feel superior, the Ego is winning. It’s feeding off the idea that you’re more, better, or ahead. But when you compare yourself and feel inferior, the Ego is also winning.
It’s convincing you that you’re less, worse, or behind. In both scenarios, you’re stuck in a loop where your self-worth is dictated by external standards and other people’s lives.
The Self: Limitless and Connected
Contrary to the Ego, the Self has no limits.
The Self understands that we are all parts of the same “One.”
There’s a deep, inherent connection that transcends the superficial comparisons we so often make. The Self knows that we are all unique expressions of the same universal energy, each with our own journey, gifts, and challenges.
When you connect with your true Self, you realize that you don’t need to be more or less than anyone else.
You are simply you, and that is more than enough.
Breaking the Cycle: A Simple Shift
Next time you catch yourself feeling less when comparing yourself to someone, here’s a straightforward approach to break the cycle:
- Recognize the Comparison: Awareness is the first step. When you start to feel inferior because you’re comparing yourself to someone else, acknowledge it. Say to yourself, “I’m comparing myself again.”
- Challenge the Ego: Remind yourself that the Ego thrives on comparisons. It wants you to feel more or less, but you don’t have to play along. Tell yourself, “I am not more than anybody, and I am not less than anybody.”
- Embrace Your Uniqueness: Shift your focus from comparison to self-acceptance. Embrace the qualities that make you unique. Celebrate your journey, your strengths, and your growth. Recognize that your worth is inherent and not dependent on others.
- Connect with the “One”: Take a moment to feel the connection with everyone around you. Whether it’s through prayer, meditation, deep breathing, or simply pausing to reflect, remind yourself that we are all interconnected. Feel the oneness with the universe, nature, and all people.
- Practice Gratitude: Shift your energy from lack to abundance. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have or what you’re not, list things you’re grateful for. This practice helps you see the richness in your life and the blessings you might have overlooked.
You Are Enough
In the grand scheme of things, the comparison game is futile and childish.
You are not here to be more or less than anyone else. You are here to be you. Your true Self, free from the Ego’s limitations, knows that you are enough just as you are.
So, the next time you start feeling like you need to be more when comparing yourself to someone else, stop it immediately. Tell yourself, “I am not more than anybody.” – and you’ll never feel like being less ever again. This simple shift frees you from the chains of comparison and helps you live a life of true fulfillment, where your worth is not defined by others but by your own unique essence.
Embrace your journey, celebrate your individuality, and know that you are a vital part of the beautiful tapestry of life.
Balance the scale.
With Love, yours truly, Cristian, in collaboration with ChatGPT.