How Comparison Led to My Childhood Struggle

And How I Learned to Improve It Over Time

I came across a beautiful story shared by Paras Ali, which deeply resonated with a struggle in my life, and I would like to share it.

I grew up in a joint family environment where our parents would often compare us, their children, with our cousins.

They majorly compared our study habits, choice of clothing, hours of study, and grades.

How comparing apples with oranges feel like. | Photo by Swati H. Das on Unsplash

Now, this has shifted to comparing our spending habits, lifestyle, social life, and more. However, I agree that it has reduced since we no longer live in a joint family setup.

This heavily affected me, and I’m sure it must also had impacted my cousins during their childhood.

I have also been compared to random strangers or some friends occasionally.

As a result, I gradually started to dislike those I was compared to and began looking for their mistakes in order to bring them down — something they didn’t deserve, and something I shouldn’t have wasted my time on. I should have maintained noble thoughts and aimed to be a kind person in that age.

I used to make the same mistake of comparing myself with others.