In today’s day and age, it may feel almost impossible to stop comparing yourself to others. As we’re constantly surrounded by picture-perfect ideals and expectations that are almost burdening, it seems like being a failure is inevitable. But before we discuss anything else, we must define failure. A quick google search has taken me to the definition, “a lack of success,” but then, what is success? If you haven’t found the pattern yet, failure and success are two of the most relative words in the English language. They are what make comparing so easy, yet so difficult, because everyone’s definition of those two words can vary to an incredible degree..
You are you, and I am me. As two totally different people, we can have two totally different outlooks on life. While I might think that a B is an acceptable grade to earn on an exam, you might say otherwise and feel upset if you don’t receive anything higher than an A. While I might think that running the 400 meter sprint is easy, the 50 meter sprint might be difficult for you. And this is why comparing ourselves to others never works, because at the end of the day, there is no one else in the world exactly like us. Sure, there might be someone that has played the violin for exactly 6 years and 4 months, or takes the exact same math class as you, but they might have a much stricter self-discipline or come from a different country.
Disappointment is natural, but don’t let it bring you down. In whatever circumstance you’re in right now, there will always be more chances. While life is unfair, it fortunately is not a simple one-step task. If you flunked a test, you still have other tests, marking periods, and years of schooling. It won’t affect you for the next 30 years of your life. If you didn’t get the job, there are millions of other jobs you can apply for. Just because you didn’t achieve what you wanted, or didn’t meet the expectations you set, it does not make you a failure. So the next time *insert name here* (or even yourself) tells you that you did horrible on a test, at a swim meet, or a music competition, just know that if you tried your best, it is nothing but success.
You're Not Alone 