With Love, Thelms

Have you ever heard that before? “Comparison is the thief of joy” that is.

I hadn’t till a friend of mine posted the quote on her instastory. So naturally I reposted it to mine because, duh. Social media and something with meaning making an impact obviously. I mean there has always been this understanding that it’s never good to compare yourself to the next person. However, I had never seen it written out in such a simple, but impactful way.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Hmph.

The more I say it, the more its meaning sinks in further. Comparing yourself to others really is a major culprit behind the lack of joy and fulfillment many experience — at various points in their life. If we’re being honest, it’s even hit me a time or two.

In my case, here’s why. The way our society continues to boom and thrive, wow. Much of it being the result of the young (my millennial generation) making it happen. For example, there are:
1) 21-year-old self-made millionaires
2) Instagram girls that are “getting it how they live” (if you know, you KNOW)
3) Social media enthusiasts making bank off of just doing them…

& so forth.

So much so that I’m not too big to say that it leaves me feeling like I’m not doing enough. By comparing myself to the next person, I wonder if there’s more I could/should be doing at times. Not just as it relates to becoming wealthier, but in all aspects of my life. Could I truly be doing more?

Should I put more into blogging and sharing daily?

Could I make more of an effort to eat healthier and be just as fit as the girls on the ‘gram?

Should I put more money into self-maintenance?

Could I dabble into different avenues that would facilitate more income?

The truth is I could, hell we all could be doing more. However, it shouldn’t be at the detriment of ourselves — due mostly to our comparison of what others are doing. If you do? You’ll never be happy. When you’re constantly comparing yourself to what the next person is doing, you won’t ever be content. Instead, you will find ways to put down every accomplishment YOU achieve because the next person accomplished (what you perceive to be) greater.

It’s then that I remember, comparison is the thief of joy.

I’ll be damned if it isn’t because like I said earlier. It’s certainly stolen my joy a time or two.

With social media continuing to thrive, it’s getting harder for us millennials to remain oblivious. Oblivious to others accomplishments/status as it relates to ourselves. Sometimes I think they should change the statement. More like social media causes an unhealthy comparison to others, resulting in the thief of joy.

Le’sigh. That’s why it’s my hope that we can dial back the comparing and focus on one thing: just doing us.

We are all exactly where we are meant to be. & because I’m a believer in Christ and the whole “everything happens for a reason” mantra… I believe that with everything in me. We may not be where Susie or Mike is, but we’ll get there.

Which is why I’ll take this moment to say a little prayer for us all,

I pray that we all end up exactly where we’re meant to be. & in doing so find joy there, love, prosperity, and a continued desire to do more for the betterment of ourselves.

Because just as much as I wrote this to get a message out to y’all, I also wrote this for myself. To serve as a constant reminder that, comparison is the thief of joy.

 

To preventing our joy from being stolen — one social media hiatus at a time,

Thelms

Photos by Julia Elizabeth