Inspired or insecure? Where do you draw the line

Why do we always compare ourselves to others and is it a good thing?

Let’s say it is.

We get inspired. In order to push ourselves to do better things, we need inspiration and comparison. It is important to appreciate the work of others in order to remind yourself that anything is possible, that people are doing great stuff and you can too. You can watch or listen to people who achieved greatness whether it is world-recognised or just admired by friends and family. Look up to the stars and people, get inspired. Push yourself.

Let’s say it is not.

We get insecure. In our age when social media became an extension of our minds and lives, for better or for worse, it is so hard not to notice all the real and portrayed (or exaggerated) successes. We see someone get an awesome job, we get genuinely happy for them, we feel a bit shitty about our lives.

Let me give you an example: my friend showed me this guy who bakes bread as a hobby and started posting about it on social media. Everyone loved it and he got from his home oven to a commercial 80-loafs-at-a-time baking. Thinking that went through my head: What a nice idea! What a cool guy doing his thing! Good on him for starting a business because he was pretty much asked to start one! Oh… I need to step up my game. What am I doing? I mean this bread thing is so easy…

Two-second contemplation ended with: ELINA WTF. Bread? Really? Did you ever like eating bread? Baking it? Why would you even compare yourself to the dude?

I am usually the one telling people off for Monday-hating, anything is possible kinda gal (annoying at times, I know). And then I catch myself thinking that somehow I should do professional kick-boxing (like this cool girl at work), or bake bread (that I don’t even eat), or study software engineering, because those are the things to be doing, apparently.

Inspiration is great. It is truly an art to find inspiration in people around you and push yourself. It is truly an art not to compare yourself and left feeling somehow worse.

Do your thing. Do it a lot and often. Look up and be proud. Live your own dream.