The Comparison Trap: Why Your Journey Doesn’t Need a Benchmark

Gather ’Round, Trailblazers—It’s Time to Ditch the Comparison Compass
Let’s be real: it’s hard not to compare ourselves to others. Whether it’s scrolling through social media, watching colleagues climb the career ladder, or hearing about yet another person’s “10 Easy Steps to Success” story, comparison feels about as avoidable as a forest full of mosquitoes. But here’s the thing—comparing your journey to someone else’s is like judging a sunrise by its lunchtime shadow. Both have their moments, but they don’t even belong in the same frame.

The Trap of “Keeping Up” (And Why It’s Overrated Anyway)
Somehow, society has turned life into a giant relay race. We’re trained to think we’re supposed to sprint to success, tag the next milestone, and do it all with an unflappable smile (and let’s not forget, ideally before noon). But here’s the kicker: life’s not a timed event, and you’re not running anyone else’s race. Imagine a mountain trail with mile markers saying, “By this point, you should’ve figured out your purpose and be halfway to a six-figure income.” Ridiculous, right?

Trails have twists, turns, and surprise muddy patches. Some people are out there sprinting (probably getting lost, like me), while others are stopping to take pictures or pick wildflowers. And here we are, huffing and puffing up the hill, wondering if we’re moving too slowly. Spoiler alert: there’s no “too slow” in trailblazing.

Breaking Free from the Social Media Highlight Reel
Let’s be honest—if comparison had a best friend, it’d be social media. You see everyone’s best moments: the epic vacation, the promotion, the engagement announcement. And there you are, still figuring out if last week’s leftovers are safe to eat. But remember, you’re seeing the highlight reel, not the full blooper reel.

Think about it: would you compare your behind-the-scenes mess to someone else’s picture-perfect snapshot? That’s like looking at a glossy magazine cover and wondering why your Monday morning face doesn’t look the same. Real growth is messy, real success is personal, and neither one belongs in a heavily filtered frame.

Redefining Success: Letting Go of Society’s Benchmarks
So, here’s a thought—what if you defined success for yourself? No timelines, no milestones, just your own version of progress that actually feels good. Imagine you’re on a desert island with no social media or well-meaning relatives. What would success look like then? Maybe it’s as simple as enjoying the view, taking a nap under a palm tree, or figuring out how to open a coconut without looking ridiculous. Success, redefined.

Instead of chasing someone else’s version of fulfillment, why not decide what actually makes YOU feel alive? Life isn’t about making it to the finish line with the fanciest scorecard. Sometimes, it’s just about taking one authentic step after another, wherever that may lead.

How to Stop Comparing and Start Celebrating Your Own Wins
Alright, so breaking the habit of comparison takes some work. But here’s a little trail-tested advice for focusing on your own path without peeking over at everyone else’s campsite:

Celebrate Your Tiny Wins: Did you survive Monday? Did you remember to water your plants? Or better yet, did you actually drink enough water yourself? Did you remember to put on pants? These small things are wins, my friend, and they deserve a celebratory fist pump.
Set Your Goals, Not Theirs: Forget what everyone else is doing. Do you want to climb the career ladder, or would you rather just find a ladder to get to your favorite book on the top shelf? Whatever it is, make sure your goals are actually yours.
Remember What You’re Gaining, Not Just What You’re Missing: Each step on your own path is building resilience, learning, and stories you’ll laugh about later. So, maybe you’re not on the beach in Bali, but you’re picking up the kind of grit that’s priceless.
Create Your Own “Highlight Reel” (For You, Not Instagram): Keep a journal or photo album of moments that matter to you—the coffee spill that missed your keyboard, the quiet morning hike, that time you didn’t hit snooze (a victory in itself). These are the highlights that make your journey yours.

Blaze Your Own Trail
Here’s the truth: no one else can walk your path, and that’s a beautiful thing. Comparison might be tempting, but it’s like trying to wear someone else’s hiking boots—they won’t fit right, and you’ll end up with blisters. The view you’re building is uniquely yours, and that’s worth so much more than keeping up with anyone else’s Instagram feed.

Success isn’t about hitting the same mile markers as everyone else. It’s about looking back and realizing you’ve created a path that’s all yours, with a few missteps, maybe a faceplant or two (also, like me) but also a whole lot of authenticity. So here’s to ignoring the highlight reels and embracing the quiet victories that actually mean something.

Closing
So, next time you feel the urge to compare, remember: your journey doesn’t need a benchmark, a timeline, or even a “right way” to look. You’re creating something unique, one step at a time. And that, my friend, is how you truly trailblaze.

Now it’s your turn—what’s one “comparison” you’re ready to leave behind on the trail? Drop it in the comments, and remember, do more than exist—be.

With gratitude,

~kk