A leading factor in the rise of depression and anxiety in our society is COMPARISON. In a study by statista.com, the average social media user spends 142 minutes per day on social media. That’s a lot of time!
The crazy thing is that many of the 142 minutes are spent scrolling and looking at other people’s lives. It can be very toxic. Especially if looking at other people’s highlights causes you to look down upon your own situation. People only show you what they want you to see, and some of the most famous people in the world struggle mentally more than you know. If you saw what they did behind closed doors, you would feel completely different about them. So the goal of today’s email is to give you tools to help if you ever get caught comparing yourself to people you see on social media.
“The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.”
– Proverbs 14:11-12
1. Snap out of it. Ask yourself why you envy this person.
Is it better to lose your soul and gain the world or get what’s coming to you in due time?
You may have good intentions on social media, but the mind is a trickster. It is influenced by what you see and hear. It doesn’t consider the ‘behind the scenes’ things that you don’t see. But since you can’t see others ‘behind the scenes’ life, you should dive deeper into yours.
A good question to ask is “why?” Why does this person make you feel bad about yourself? What is the feeling that you’re seeking?
Asking needs underlying questions is productive. It requires some introspection, but it helps you get to the root of your issue.
2. Set realistic goals for yourself. Goals that make you happy.
Once you have some clarity around your why, it’s time to set goals. What can you do this week to help you get closer to where you want to be five years from now?
What will make you happy this upcoming week?
Ask yourself these questions and just start writing. Investing time in yourself will always give you a positive return.
3. Hold yourself accountable.
Whenever you’re struggling, look at your goals. Remind yourself that you have a destination. Run your race at your own pace. You’re not behind. You are exactly where you need to be.
Accountability is an essential part of personal development. Self-accountability is “a way of living in which you take responsibility for your actions and your life, learn from your mistakes, and quickly recover from any impulse to blame others, ignore problems, and hide from your own shortcomings.”
Stop yourself and pull out your goals whenever you have the urge to go on a scrolling frenzy. Read them over and over again until you can repeat them by memory.
You got this. Keep going!
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