The Luminary Don't Fall Prey To Social Comparison

Angel O. Pangdew pangdew.angel18@gmail.com

Social comparison is a natural instinct that almost all students engage in from time to time. They compare themselves to others to gauge their success, measure their abilities, and even determine their worth. While this kind of comparison can be beneficial in certain instances, it can also be harmful to their mental health. It can lead to feelings of envy, resentment, and insecurity, which can have a negative impact on our well-being.

Personally, I find it challenging to refrain from making unfavorable societal comparisons. I am constantly surrounded by my peers, and it can be easy to start comparing myself to them in terms of grades, accomplishments, and even social status.

Social comparison theory states that we do this in an effort to accurately assess our own worth. However, by using 3S strategies, we can learn how to avoid the trap of social comparison and develop into our best selves.

Fostering Healthy Self-Esteem

The key to strong self-esteem is developing an internal sense of value. Studies have shown that the ability to make decisions for oneself, accept responsibility for one's life, and learn about oneself in order to make positive changes are all factors that contribute to one's feeling of self-worth.

We must be aware of our own upsides and downsides and concentrate more on what we can do than what we cannot. We will be able to increase our self-esteem and confidence by learning to accept and embrace our shortcomings.

Practicing Self-Compassion

We need to constantly remind ourselves that everyone faces different difficulties. We can also work on forgiving ourselves and accepting that failures are a necessary part of learning. Let's prioritize selfcare and spend time engaging in positive activities.

We can avoid the comparison trap by taking a break from social media and limiting our exposure to endless stories of other people's accomplishments.

We can also put our attention on our own ambitions and goals and discover ways to acknowledge and appreciate every achievement, no matter how small.

Positive Self-Talk

How often do we feel good about ourselves? Did we have any time to think about ourselves? I personally don't think about what other people think of me or how I measure up to them. Instead, I focus on positive things about myself and my accomplishments. By taking the time to acknowledge and value our individual skills and talents, we can begin to develop positive self-talk.

The use of affirmations, such as "I am strong and capable," "I have the power to achieve my goals," "I am deserving of love and respect," "I can overcome any obstacle," "I am unique and distinctive," and "I am enough," is also beneficial to us in avoiding social comparison.

Indeed, comparing ourselves to others can be detrimental to our mental health and overall well-being. It’s important to recognize the signs of social comparison and take steps to shift our focus away from it.

To avoid social comparison, it's important to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth, engage in selfcompassion, and keep a positive outlook on life. Most importantly, we become more appreciative of who we are when we learn to love ourselves.

The use of affirmations, such as "I am strong and capable," "I have the power to achieve my goals," "I am deserving of love and respect," "I can overcome any obstacle," "I am unique and distinctive," and "I am enough," is also beneficial to us in avoiding social comparison.

Avoiding social comparison can be difficult, but with the right strategies, we can learn how to not fall prey to social comparison and become the best version of ourselves.