Entry #30: Comparing Yourself to Others?

You’re at work and notice that your coworker is glowing from her vacation to the Bahamas. You hurried out the door because you had to choose between putting on makeup after a shower, or feeding the baby before you rushed to daycare. You’re on time for work but you ask yourself, “Why does she look flawless? I look terrible!” 

My story: I have been doing Crossfit for over eight years. I was lean until I was 47 years old. At 50 I was working so hard but started gaining fat. No matter how hard I tried doing what I have always done, something was wrong. I compared myself to a woman in her 30s. I started getting a fat bulge around my mid section while she became more fit. I was becoming jealous. The dialogue in my head was, “I will work harder. I can get back to where I was. I can be just as good as her.” I was comparing myself to her in the gym, as well as on social media. It turns out that I am in menopause. Fat in women in our 50s accumulates around the belly due to reduced estrogen and progesterone which increases cortisol. I hired my coach who gently told me that it’s ridiculous to compare myself to a woman in her 30s while I am 51. Kevin Cope is a new writer in this magazine so check him out! He is teaching me how to exercise differently at my age. I was starting to feel defeated because no matter how hard I try, the fat isn’t going away. Thankfully, I have Coach to keep me grounded. I have hope again. 

Your perception of others is a fantasy because you don’t see them behind closed doors. Stop telling yourself stories about how others are doing life better than you. Ask yourself what you’re good at! You’re talented in ways that other people aren’t. Don’t waste any more time that you could have been working on the God-given gifts that you have to share with the world! That’s the key to joy.

 

 

Stephanie Preston creates powerful, humorous videos on managing bipolar disorder symptoms. She is a Social Service Worker, Health Care Aide and suffers from severe bipolar depression herself. She is the proud wife of St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston, loves being a grandma and is Crossfit obsessed. Follow her at www.tiktok.com/@bipolaronthebrain and www.facebook.com/bipolaronthebrain.