In this article, we’re going to talk about three different types of people: their unique approaches to life, and their different lifestyles. We’ll also explore how a single word can ruin them, and by the end, we’ll highlight some interesting points from this whole discussion.
Without further delay, let’s talk about the first man. This man wants to play it safe; he tries to avoid big risks in life. So, he studied until the age of 25, finished his education, started a job, found a life partner, and settled down with a family. By the age of 40, he had everything he wanted—a house, a job, and a family life. The rest of his life is spent enjoying time with his family and job activities.
Now, let’s move on to the second person. This individual is a bit more ambitious. He wants the best education, the best job, a beautiful house, a nice car, and a desirable life partner. He works hard and, by 40, has achieved almost everything he set out for. Like the first person, he spends the rest of his life enjoying his family and work.
Finally, let’s talk about the third person. This individual is different— a bit adventurous. Owning a beautiful house and having a stable job aren’t his top priorities. Instead, he prefers to work, earn money, and spend it right away. Romantic partners come and go, unable to keep up with his lifestyle. He experiences many ups and downs but enjoys the surprises. He laughs at both the good and the bad outcome and lives life just as he wished.
So far, we haven’t discussed any problems in their lives. Each of them chose what they liked, and that’s why they’re happy. None of them have major complaints.
Now, let’s introduce a word that can make them feel disappointed without changing anything about their actual lives. How can we do that? Well, surely, you all have different ideas, but there’s something that can easily be cultivated in their minds and that is “comparison.”
And so, we could tell the first person to look at the second person, who has achieved more—a bigger house, a better car, a more comfortable life. For the second person, we could point out the third person, who lives a carefree life, unbound by responsibilities, where every day feels like a weekend. And for the third person, we could say, “Look at the other two! They’ve got property, stability, and security—things you don’t have.”
Surprisingly, everything we say makes perfect sense. If they consider our logic, they might feel bad immediately.
Now, let’s get to the point. We’ve discussed three people, each of them are different in nature, behavior, and lifestyle. None of this seemed to be a problem until comparison entered the picture. If they start wishing to live someone else’s life, they might face a significant problem— not in their practical lives, but the feeling of disappointment may overshadow all the good reasons they have to be happy.”
“Comparison doesn’t make you any less in reality, but if you compare yourself to someone who seems better, you might feel less. You might have so much in your life, but the feeling of disappointment will not let you see them.”
One of the strongest psychological tricks to happiness is to appreciate what you’ve achieved or, simply look for beauty in your own life.
We are human, with desires, and it’s natural to dream and work hard for those dreams. But it’s essential to know why we’re striving. Are we chasing our own dreams, or are we trying to compete with others?
Comparison pushes you to compete and improve against others, leading to pressure and a constant race. But when you work on improving your own life compared to your past, it brings peace and relaxation.
Though the efforts might seem the same, the mindset makes a huge difference. It’s probably the difference between living for yourself and living for others.
People around you, social media, and even your own mind may try to make you compare yourself to others. But remember, you are different, you think differently, and therefore, you need to act differently to achieve your unique dreams. Once you understand this, you’ll feel free to live the life you want, no matter what others do in their lives.
