The Comparison Game

Photo by Alessio Soggetti on Unsplash

Whenever I am out exercising, it is impossible to not compare myself to the people that pass me by. Just now, I finished a good run. I sprinted to the end of the road and as I rounded the corner I slowed down to a very satisfying walk. I took deep breaths and felt very proud of myself for getting out and exercising on this cold winter day. Then, just a moment later, another runner approached me.

As I smiled and waved, I felt the urge in me to be ashamed of the fact that I was walking.

I’m not sure if everyone has this insecurity, it may just be from years of playing competitive soccer; coaches always needing me to run faster and farther. I was taught that walking equates failure. This is something I know I shouldn't be feeling, and I've tried to coach myself out of it over the years, but the gut reaction is still there. They’re doing better than me, I think. I should be running too.

The comparison game is a tricky one to play because everyone ends up losing.

There are no winners because the truth of the matter is that we never know what mile someone is on and so we should never compare ourselves to them. That goes for actual miles and metaphorical miles. We are all running the marathon that is life and some of our experiences have been steep uphill battles, while others are a nice long flat road.

We are all running different distances, on different terrain, and in different weather. The best thing we can do is to teach ourselves to stop comparing and start cheering. Celebrate the wins of the people around you. Be excited for them that they are still taking steps forward and be excited for yourself that you've made it another mile.