Do you sometimes compare your life to the lives of others? If so, why is that?

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   gmaoliposted 12 years ago

   Do you sometimes compare your life to the lives of others?  If so, why is that?

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   Shanna11posted 12 years ago

   I compare my life to others all the time. I'd like to blame it on the fact that I'm a teenage girl, and we're just supposed to do that, but I know that's not it.
   
   It's because I'm partially insecure, partially jealous and partially really competitive. Sometimes I think I'm doing something wrong, or I'm just unhappy and I have to look around and wonder why other people aren't the same. I don't want to feel different, so I'm constantly comparing myself to make sure I don't look like a freak. If the root is jealousy, it's because someone is something I'm not, and they get positive perks (attention, compliments) that I want.
   
   If the reason is competitive, it probably stems from insecurity and jealousy together. I don't want to be last- I want to be first. I want to blend in, but I want to have an edge and be a cut above everyone else. I'm constantly comparing my accolades and accomplishments to others' lives to be sure that I'm ahead of them.
   
   That's just why I compare my life to other people's lives. Most of the time I'm pretty pleased with the way my life is working out, though. I'm not generally the manic type.

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   researchpapersposted 12 years ago

   In my opinion, I must say that is a human nature.

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   KrystalDposted 12 years ago

   I compare myself to others for two major opposing reasons:
   1. Gratitude-sometimes seeing others lives let's me know how much I have to be grateful for.
   2. Envy/insecurity-other times my comparison's are one's that help me feed the "not good enough" whole in my gut.
   
   I have come to find niether of these reasons are unique from other human beings. We are all checking on others to see where we stand at some point.

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   zell12posted 12 years ago

   I sometimes find myself nodding off into the abyss of what it would be like to have a different life then what is mind. I would never say I am jealous, when you are jealous you hate the person for what they have, but more envious. Yeah I may not have what some other people have, but I still respect them for what they have accomplished.

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   athena2011posted 12 years ago

   Yes I do and usually regret it. I think it is only natural for us to do this but not so beneficial at all.
   
   When I catch myself doing this I turn back and think about the things I have to be grateful for instead to be appreciative of my life. I also tell myself that I do no know what problems that person may be dealing with and that perhaps I'd prefer to keep my problems instead.

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   jacqui2011posted 12 years ago

   I think that it's very common to compare ourselves to others. I often wish I had a bigger life or more money to live my dream of moving to the country. Then I look at my life and appreciate all that I have in it. It means more to me to have my family, my job and the roof over my head. I am lucky and happy with my life.

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   Dave Mathewsposted 12 years ago

   No Never! I am a unique individual. I am one of a kind.

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   Artin2010posted 12 years ago

   In my opinion, many people compare themselves to others so that they have  a way to see if they measure up. Many of us were taught early on in school that we should have a hero or pick someone who you admire and look up to, then model your actions and your life after their example. Another answer would be, sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we don't really know how to handle, so we look outward to others who've been through a similar situation looking for a place to start to figure out what to do or where to go forward. I guess there could be many reasons for comparing. Very good question to ponder.

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    xethonxqposted 12 years ago

    Sometimes I do when I'm in a funk and feeling sorry for myself. It helps me remain in misery though...then I pull myself out and remember what's great about my life.

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    brieliseposted 12 years ago

    Yes, I don't think you can help it. I always notice how far behind I am. Everyone else my age has graduated from college and has a real job. Many of them have married and even have children. I always had this plan for myself, but it didn't work out. I just feel like I'm missing out. Right now I'm unemployed so that makes it even more difficult

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    pappoposted 12 years ago

    I have compared my life to others many times. I think it is almost inevitable for a human being not to do so sometime in his or her life. I am generally not envious of anyone and I genuinely happy for everyone success, but sometime when I am a little down I tend to look at others and think that they have all the things they want and I am always struggling. As soon as my mood get sunny again, I realize my life is pretty darn good and I should not feel I am missing anything, and I am happy again.

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