3 Phrases to Get Out of the Comparison Trap

So many of us get caught up in the comparison game, looking around at others and then feeling bad about our own progress. Practicing non-judgment can help you feel more positive about yourself by focusing on what you can control.

Having practiced mindful self-compassion now for nearly 2 years, I know this links to less stress, more calm, and a better sense of acceptance and care for ourselves.

Parkrun is a great place for me to practice non-judgment. Last week I noticed that I kept being annoyed by the people who were running a lot faster than me.

I didn’t feel good about this, since non-judgment is one of my biggest principles I try to live by. This week I vowed to take a different approach.

Three reminders gave me a better experience today:

• everyone’s running their own race — stay in my lane

• uphold my values and encourage those who are passing me

• have empathy to remember I’m someone else’s “faster than me”

Phrase #1: Everyone is running their own race

There are people who run a lot faster than me.

They might be more naturally physically inclined to run faster.

They probably train a hell of a lot more than I do.

They also probably care more than I do about a fast time.

I had to remember: they are running their race, and I’m running mine. I’m not competing against them.

I’m working to achieve my potential. Stay in my (slow) lane!

Phrase #2: Wish them well

Compared to last week, today I wished everyone well who ran by me.

I thought about the fact that I don’t know anything about these people. Maybe they’re just getting back to their pre-injury fitness.

Maybe this is their chance for their personal best.

Maybe they’re going through something hard and running is their outlet to release stress.

It helped me to stay true to my values of positivity, encouragement and support and to simply wish them well in their run.

Phrase #3: You are someone else’s “faster” person

In life, there are people who are similar to us (“beside”), “before” or “ahead’ of us, and “behind” us — in lots of different ways: speed, experience, expertise, age.

Ultimately, there were some people I was faster than today.

I hoped they weren’t judging me.

Being mindful of empathy, reminding myself that I’m someone else’s “faster than” person, helped me stay humble, encouraging, and supportive of everyone out there running.

If we could all move out of judgment, there’d be a more positive upward cycle of positivity and support for each other.

So keep in mind, life’s not a race, but you are running your own path, not someone else’s.

See if you can notice where you compare yourself to others and how taking an approach of non-judgment can help.

As for the rewards, I ran a minute and 20 seconds faster than last week, so not only did I feel more positive, I had a better result!

p.s. I’m the queen of mishearing lyrics, so I crossed the finish inspired by Lizzo’s “head tall, check my nails” only to realise it’s “head toss”!

#ship30for30 #mindfulness #mindfulselfcompassion