We've all heard this quote before, and for someone like me—who compares as often as some people drink water—it's always on my mind. The phrase is often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, which I only discovered when I decided to write this. Before that, I had always linked it to this verse from the Bible:

2 Corinthians 10:12: "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." (NKJV)

Whenever I recalled this verse, I reminded myself that I'd rather not be "not wise" as to fall into the trap of comparison. But this piece isn’t about me—it’s about comparison itself.

Pinterest/Website

The saying "Comparison is the thief of joy" means that constantly comparing yourself to others can rob you of happiness and contentment. When you focus on what others have or how they perform, you overlook your own progress, blessings, and accomplishments. Instead of feeling satisfied, you may feel inadequate, envious, or like you're falling behind—even if you're actually doing well. I completely agree with this quote, but one thing I want to point out is that avoiding comparison is nearly impossible. From childhood, comparison is ingrained in us—whether it's being measured against classmates in school, siblings at home, or even colleagues in the workplace.

Symbolic interactionism, a sociological theory, posits that we build our character based on interactions. If these interactions frequently involve comparison, doesn’t that mean comparison is now part of us? If so, how do we let go of it when the world constantly compares us anyway?

Here are a few things to help tackle comparison

• Always remember that you are in control of your actions and thoughts, you can choose to react positively to comparison
• Practice gratitude by focusing on what you have rather than what you need. Keep a gratitude notebook as a reminder of your blessings.
• Limit Social Media Exposure - Social media frequently exposes only the highlights of people's life. Take breaks and unfollow any profiles that make you feel inadequate.
• Celebrate Your Own Progress: Instead of comparing yourself to others, compare yourself to your previous self. Recognize how far you have come.
• Adopt a Growth Mindset, viewing others' success as inspiration rather than competition. There is room for everyone to grow and thrive.
• Stay in Your Lane - Everyone's journey is unique. Concentrate on your own objectives and values rather than external norms.
• Surround Yourself with Supportive People - Instead of comparing yourself to others, spend time with those who inspire you and motivate you to improve yourself.
• Reframe Negative Thoughts - When you find yourself comparing, redirect your attention to what makes you different and important.

If you let it, comparison can quickly steal your joy, but you can avoid it by focusing on appreciation, self-improvement, and personal growth. Instead of comparing your accomplishment to others, enjoy your own path and progress. Remember that everyone's path is unique, and true pleasure comes from accepting where you are and striving for where you want to go.

The next time you find yourself comparing, pause and ask yourself: Am I focusing on my own development, or am I allowing comparison to steal my joy?