We often face this complex issue of being compared to someone else. It’s either feeling superior, like you’re somehow ahead of them, or feeling inferior, like you’re falling behind. And honestly, both mindsets slowly distance us from each other.
In any field, whether it’s academics, careers, or just life in general, comparisons are everywhere. Someone is always doing better, moving faster, achieving more. It becomes so easy to look at them and think, “They’re better than me.” But is that really true?
Just because someone has achieved something, does that automatically make them superior? That sounds a little strange when you think about it. For example, saying “Oh, she cleared a hard exam, she must be way smarter than us.” Maybe she is, maybe she isn’t. Maybe you’re smart too, just in a different way or at a different stage.
The truth is, if you keep measuring yourself based on one aspect, you’ll never feel enough. There will always be someone better at something. But that doesn’t make them superior, and it definitely doesn’t make you inferior. You might be better at something they struggle with.
A lot of this comes down to mindset. We’ve been so used to seeing perfection that we’ve forgotten how to accept vulnerability. Every journey is different, every situation is different. Life isn’t about having everything at once, it’s about understanding what matters to you and working towards it.
And even if things aren’t perfect right now, even if your bank account is low or your progress feels slow, that doesn’t stop your potential. So why let it define your worth?
Now let’s talk about the other side, the superiority complex. It’s just as harmful. No one is in a position to look down on someone else or decide their worth.
Making someone feel inferior on purpose is not confidence, it’s insecurity.
At the end of the day, we’re all human. Let’s stop constantly comparing and start supporting each other instead. You’ll only be glad you chose to grow into a better person.
MBH/PS