Conquering any type of anxiety can be extremely challenging. However, there are steps you can take to overcome comparison anxiety.
While comparing ourselves to others is a natural human behavior, it is when it takes over our lives that it becomes a problem. So, how can you beat comparison anxiety once and for all? Here, we’ll look at the best steps to conquering comparison anxiety you can try today…
Avoid Your Triggers
If you want to conquer your comparison anxiety, it is important to avoid your triggers. Whether that is limiting your social media use or working on improving negative thinking, by avoiding the things that trigger your anxiety, you’ll find it easier to work on it.
Be Aware of Your Own Strengths
One of the main things that we tend to do when we are comparing ourselves to others, is focus on our weaknesses. The comparisons are always negative, seeing ourselves as less than those around us.
So, if you want to combat the condition, you’re going to need to start focusing on your strengths and not your weaknesses. We are all great at something. We have our own strengths that we can draw on when we struggle in life. So, what are yours?
Make a list of all of your strengths. Then, when you find yourself comparing yourself negatively to others, look at the list and remember your positives.
Realize Social Media Isn’t a True Representation of Success
Social media has made it easy to compare ourselves to others. You are constantly bombarded with positive posts. For example, it could be a friend who always posts how amazing their life is. Or it could be other moms posting pictures of their perfect family.
The thing you need to remember is that social media isn’t a true representation of success. Just because people are posting good things, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any problems behind the scenes. People tend to only post the good. So, in essence you’re really seeing their highlights, rather than their real life. If you keep this in mind, it can stop you comparing yourself to unrealistic images of success.
Practice Gratitude
One of the best ways to conquer comparison anxiety is to practice gratitude. Being thankful for the things you have in your life can stop you feeling low about the things you feel you are missing out on.
Studies have shown that by keeping a gratitude journal for just 21 days, it can greatly shift your perspective. You’ll learn to start focusing on the things you do have, rather than the things you don’t.
These are some of the best ways to conquer comparison anxiety. While it’s natural to compare ourselves to others, it should never take over our lives. If you find the above tips don’t work for you, it may be time to consider going to therapy. This can help you to better understand the issue and work out long-term strategies to overcome it.
