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Thing I (Don't) Love Thursday: Comparison

I've seen a lot of posts on Instagram and Facebook about comparison, and they always hit home a little.

I am as guilty as the next girl of comparing myself to others. I always notice who is skinniest and prettiest when I'm in a group of other women, and I always feel like I come up short. I use the term "women" here lightly because I like to believe that women build each other up and love themselves, while girls tear each other down and have a hard time finding the good in themselves, let alone other people.

I'll admit, most days I'm somewhere in the middle of being a girl vs. a woman.


However, the exception to this is in my running. I have never compared myself to anyone else when it comes to my running. I run for me. And the only runner I compare myself to is the runner I was yesterday. I am only competing with myself, so what would be the point in comparing any aspect of my running to another runner? Every time I go for a run, I am simply trying to be a better, stronger and, yes, faster runner.


I truly believe comparison is the thief of joy. When I compare myself to other women, it doesn't ever make me feel better. I think many women do it in an attempt to make themselves feel better by comparing their strengths with others' weaknesses. 

This side of the female gender is the main reason I don't have a lot of female friends. I don't have the patience for the pettiness, cattiness and constant comparisons that come with too many friendships. I want to surround myself with people who make me happy and make me feel good, not because I feel prettier or smarter or better than them in some way. But because we lift each other up. We bring out the best in each other. And we make each other want to be better.

The same goes for my running partners. I don't run with many people because my runs are for me. I only want to compete with me. I only want to compare my run with MY run from yesterday or last week. So I only want running partners who make me a better runner. And a better person. I feel very blessed to have several of these in my life.

I believe, without a doubt, runners make the best friends. They are encouraging, supportive and honest like no other people.

So I don't know why we do it. But we do. We constantly compare ourselves to others in so many ways. I only hope I can continue to do it a little less in my own life. That I can focus on being a person who empowers and encourages others and to love myself enough to find the good in myself and in others.

Comments

  1. Freaking. Love. This.
    Freaking. Love. You.

    My. Friend.
    Thank you for always building me up. ILYF.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So very true! Social media can be wonderful and I feel I have an amazing running support network that encourages me. But I do compare myself to those with long blond locks and endless legs (you!). I tend to put myself down, but am blessed to have a husband who reminds me of my strengths....and then I go on a run and am in my happy place and forget the comparisons. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Totally guilty. With social media and us literally in each others homes, kitchens, closets, and vacations, its worse than ever. Almost impossible not to compare ourselves but we must keep trying. We must support and uplift each other!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Totally guilty. With social media and us literally in each others homes, kitchens, closets, and vacations, its worse than ever. Almost impossible not to compare ourselves but we must keep trying. We must support and uplift each other!

    ReplyDelete

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