Break the habit of self-comparison

Comparison is the thief of joy - Theodore Roosevelt

We live in a world that gives us the opportunity (thanks to social media) to compare ourselves to others every moment of every day.

Research has found that more than 10% of daily thoughts involve making a comparison of some kind. It literally steals us away from satisfaction with our own life, providing us with a yardstick on the thing we see as desirable. We see one thing in a person that shows us how we would like to be, in success or in worth, and make an instant assessment of comparison.

Teacher Tips

Some ideas below on how you can break the habit of self-comparison on and off the mat.

On the mat:

  • Notice when your thoughts become distracted with negative self-talk about your body, fitness level, flexibility, strength, and/or even down to the clothing you’re wearing.

  • 5 ways to become more present on your mat:

  1. Ground in the moment w/your hands at your heart (Anjali Mudra). See if that helps draw you back to your center.

  2. Soften your eyes and do your best to hold a soft gaze (drishti).

  3. See yourself as part of the whole - recognize yourself as part of the community of practitioners around you. Yoga means union and that we are not separate from the whole.

  4. Use Mantra as a tool during your practice - “I am strong”, “I can do hard things”, “I am enough”.

  5. When you catch yourself comparing, practice wishing someone well - it’s a healthy way to counteract feelings of resentment and jealousy. It opens us up to our natural capacity to offer love - even to strangers.

Off the mat:

  • Notice when you say things like, “I wish I had a bigger house, a luxury car, a vacation to Hawaii booked”

  • 5 ways to be more present off the mat:

  1. Write a list of all the things that you love about yourself and your life!

  2. Write down why self-comparison is unnecessary (i.e. feelings of self-hate, wastes time, etc)

  3. Practice gratitude! So much to be grateful for, like… yoga on a Tuesday, your daily coffee, your friends, etc.

  4. Ditch technology and get outside: Connecting to nature provides space to reflect, to take in the fresh air, and notice the beautiful scenery around you.

  5. The only person you should compare yourself to… is yourself!! Perhaps this way of thinking will only benefit you to take care of yourself - physically, mentally, spiritually, etc.

Articles referenced and/or directly quoted: Yoga Journal, Blog, Psychology Today 

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