I’m a little late in sharing this but I had a post up on RevolutionizeHer yesterday about overcoming discouragement. Have a read and let me know what you think! Also, if you have any tidbits to share, please do. Enjoy your day!
Category Archives: Advice & Resources
Overcoming Comparisons
The internet is an amazing thing but it also has the potential to bring a person down. One of the things I’ve been struggling with since trying to grow my blog and Etsy shop is comparing myself with others. I follow some amazing blogs and often put a lot of pressure on myself to be where they’re at and have the same success. The thing is, a lot of these bloggers have been doing this for years. And here I am just starting to blog (somewhat) consistently since July and I’m expecting myself to have the same place of authority in the blogging world. They’re not kidding when they say you need to be patient when trying to grow your readership.
This comparing has also seeped into my creative mindset. I find myself second guessing things I’m doing and once loved. Losing confidence in the things I was once so excited about. But when I step back from the computer for a bit, not worry so much about what others are doing but what I’m doing to make this dream of mine come true, I find my confidence restored. The blogosphere is a great place for ideas, inspiration, and instruction, but it’s so important to not get caught up in it all and let it hinder your personal and creative growth.
Am I nervous about sharing these thoughts about my handmade journey and making them available for all to see? You betcha. But it’s inevitable to have these moments of weakness. The question is: do I get sucked in to comparisons and crash and burn? Or do I learn to step away to enable myself to grow and to learn? I’m shooting for the latter.
Focusing on the Needs, Not Wants
I often times find myself comparing my life to others. It’s a horrible, horrible habit of mine. One that I’m hoping to work on and obliterate from my life. In the past, I’ve found myself getting jealous at the fact that others have more than I do or are able to go on vacations or do more than I’m able to. And the thing is, I am blessed beyond all measure. I have SO MUCH compared to others. I may not be able to take two-week vacations to Europe, going out to eat for me is going to Chik-Fil-A, and buying new clothes oftentimes means buying one new shirt…on clearance…at Old Navy. But I have a loving family, a roof over my head, heat in my house, and food in my belly, among a slew of other luxuries.
[Stephen playing with the little guy]
When I start to get down about not having the things I want (take note: things I want and don’t need), Stephen always helps me to put things into perspective. I make assumptions that the people I know who have more than me are better off financially. And, a lot of times, this isn’t the case. We live in a culture where most people live beyond their means. We have so much yet always want more. People that are taking big vacations every year and going out to eat constantly at nice restaurants likely have large amounts of unnecessary debt. It’s so important for each of us to not compare ourselves to others. And, just as important, is to not make assumptions about others. It’s damaging to both parties. For the person making the assumption, you harbor a lot of negativity, jealousy, and bitterness. I don’t think I need to elaborate on why holding on to those feelings is not good. And for the other person, they’re being completely misjudged. Your attitude towards them can affect the way you, and others, treat them.
What I’d like for you, and myself, to take away from this post is to not compare yourself to others. To delight in your successes and, also, the successes of others. Secondly, it’s not a horrible thing to have wants but it is important to not let it overcome you. And you don’t want it to negatively affect your attitude towards others and what you have been blessed with.
