1) Chasing the Green: Why Comparison is the Thief of Joy

We live in a world that hardly ever stops. It is a world that constantly stresses the importance of success, wealth, and material possessions. All these things have one thing in common: the color green. Green signifies money, success, and prosperity, and many people chase after it relentlessly. People lose sleep, sacrifice time with loved ones, and even jeopardize their mental health in the pursuit of the ‘green.’ However, in this pursuit of green, people forget one thing; the importance of finding joy in the little things in life.

Comparing oneself to others is one of the most common ways people lose their joy, and it is because of the belief that others always have more than us; more success, more money, more assets. This belief triggers negative emotional processes in the brain, which results in feelings of sadness, anxiety, frustration, low self-esteem, and sometimes even self-deprecation. These feelings can be insidious and ultimately lead to mental health issues such as depression.

Perhaps you have experienced these feelings yourself, in reading this article, you already know how terrible it feels. But let me share with you how it feels for one to experience this on a daily basis. I recall growing up in a neighborhood where most of my peers were better off than I was. They lived in big houses, drove expensive cars, and went on luxurious vacations. As a result, I often felt like I wasn’t enough, and this feeling stayed with me for several years. Even as an adult, I would compare my accomplishments to others’ and always find myself lacking. I would constantly compare myself to my peers, colleagues, and even strangers on social media, and this left me feeling inadequate.

However, I realized over time that comparing oneself to others is a vicious cycle. It not only steals one’s joy but also creates a distorted perception of others’ lives. For instance, a popular Instagram influencer may appear to have a perfect life with a dream career, perfect family, and luxurious vacations. However, what we see on social media is only a small part of their life. We don’t see the days that they feel down or the times when their businesses are not doing so well. We look at the highlight reel and make a judgment based on that.

The illusion of social media highlights makes comparison all the easier. Contrary to popular belief, no one has a perfect life, and everyone has their struggles. What makes one person successful, happy, and fulfilled may not work for another. It is essential to understand that success is relative, and material possessions do not equate to happiness.

When we compare ourselves to others, we forget the possibilities and the potential that we possess. Rather than focusing on our strengths and abilities, we spend our time focusing on the successes of others. The problem with this is that we are all unique, and our journeys and paths in life are different. Therefore, it is impossible to compare our lives to others’ because it is like comparing apples to oranges. When we compare ourselves to others, we also forget how blessed we are. We forget the things we have achieved and the milestones we have reached. We forget to be appreciative of the little things that bring joy in our lives.

It is also important to note that competition is a natural and necessary element in human life. It fosters growth, excellence, and innovation. However, competition stops being useful when it becomes unhealthy and starts stealing our joy. When we compete with others, we are often driven by the desire to prove ourselves or gain their approval. This is not only exhausting but also unnecessary. Our validation should come from within, and we should not have to prove ourselves to anyone.

In conclusion, chasing the green and constantly comparing ourselves to others is a surefire way to steal our joy. We need to focus on our own journeys and appreciate the little things in life because these are the things that truly matter. We need to surround ourselves with people who uplift and support us and distance ourselves from anything that feeds into self-deprecation. We need to appreciate our strengths and abilities and strive to be the best version of ourselves, not a copy of someone else.

Remember, we all have our unique paths, and success comes in different forms. Success could be waking up every day feeling grateful, spending time with loved ones, or even making someone happy. Whatever it is, as long as it brings joy and makes us feel fulfilled, then we have succeeded. So, let us stop comparing ourselves to others, stop chasing what is not ours, and focus on what we have. Let us learn to find happiness in the little things and be content with ourselves. Because at the end of the day, comparison is the thief of joy, and life is too short to spend it unhappy.

Key Points:

• In the pursuit of the ‘green,’ people often lose sight of finding joy in the little things in life.
• Comparing oneself to others triggers negative emotional processes that lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, frustration, low self-esteem, and sometimes even self-deprecation.
• Comparing oneself to others creates a distorted perception of their lives.
• Success is relative, and material possessions do not equate to happiness.
• When we compare ourselves to others, we forget the possibilities and potential we possess.
• Our validation should come from within, and we should not have to prove ourselves to anyone.
• Competition is necessary, but it stops being useful when it becomes unhealthy and starts stealing our joy.
• We need to focus on our own journeys and appreciate the little things in life because these are the things that truly matter.