We live in a time where comparison is everywhere. Social media, movies, and magazines set an impossible and unrealistic standard that most people feel they cannot live up to. I have even witnessed comparison among friends, making true and genuine friendships extremely difficult. Comments such as “I wish I looked like you” are always circulating around high schools. Not only do people physically compare themselves to people, but I have also seen it in sports performance, causing constant competition of who is better. It is seen academically when the second students get a test back, they all go around the classroom and ask each other what grades everyone got. Comparison is everywhere, and most people don’t see that it is part of the reason that they are so burnt out and sad. 

According to the Grand Rising Behavioral Health Website there are three different types of comparison including Upward Comparison, Downward Comparison, and Lateral Comparison. Upward Comparison is categorized as the comparison of one’s self-worth to another person who they view as superior to them. Downward Comparison is the comparison to something someone views as worse than themselves. Lastly, Lateral Comparison is comparing self to peers they believe are at the same level as them. In reality, all of these comparisons are damaging and all will lead to a negative impact on mental health. 

Engaging in any kind of comparison can lead to negative emotions such as envy, jealousy, low self-esteem and anxiety. Individuals in their youth are more prone to this because they are still trying to develop their identity and find where they fit in. However, with constant comparison and jealousy, a person will always try to be something they are not, and they will never find true peace with who they really are. Social media amplifies this phenomena because it promotes a fake idea of who people really are and causes an environment where feelings of inferiority occur. The majority of social media is simply highlighting reels of others successes in their lives.  Individuals who are constantly comparing themselves to someone else often develop problematic behaviors such as lying and self-blame. This effect is often seen among women ranging from the ages of 12-24 who are feeling vulnerable during their developmental stage. 

Comparison will do nothing but steal someone’s joy and cause jealousy to occur. Jealousy is very dangerous because it is the broadcasting of one’s insecurities. This may cause competition, hate, and envy in relationships. The moral of the story is to stop trying to be someone other than yourself. Everyone is unique in their own way and everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. In order to have good, healthy relationships and to be truly happy with oneself, we as a society need to start setting aside comparison and jealousy. We need to start all being ourselves and realizing that someone’s gain is not our loss. We need to start being happy for others’ successes instead of becoming jealous. Don’t let comparison be the thief of your joy! 

Works Cited

Fields, Joshua. “Jealousy Is a Wasted Emotion.” The Minimalists, 2025, https://www.theminimalists.com/jealousy/. Accessed 8 October 2025.

Grand Rising Staff. “The Impact of Social Comparison on Mental Health.” Grand Rising Behavioral Health, 16 January 2025, https://www.grandrisingbehavioralhealth.com/blog/the-impact-of-social-comparison-on-mental-health. Accessed 2025.