In episode 11, we will take a different approach to the comparison topic. Are you sick of hearing “comparison is the thief of joy” and “don’t chapter your chapter 1 to someone’s chapter 100” there is MORE to discuss on this topic yet this is the common blanket that is thrown over this issue. I believe both of those, but we dive into where comparison comes from, two main types of comparison, impact bias,  tips for cutting back on comparison in your day to day life. 

For me, understanding WHY we do something is crucial to my processing which was further highlighted to me after taking The Four Tendencies quiz and releasing I am the “questioner.” The tagline of the quiz is “how do I get people (including myself) to do what I want?” 

Take the quiz here: https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/four-tendencies-quiz/

Did social media create the comparison epidemic? NO! Leon Festinger first proposed a systematic theory in 1954 “social comparison theory” but the general concept has been around since social philosophers existed. 

Comparison, H., Suls, J., Wheeler, L. and US, S., 2021. Handbook of Social Comparison - Theory and Research | Jerry Suls | Springer. [online] Springer.com. Available at: [Accessed 22 February 2021].

Two types of comparison: Upward Comparison & Downward Comparison 

Impact bias- the tendency to overestimate the enduring impact that future events will have on our emotional reactions

Comparison is BIGGER than technology but it is just amplified and ever present because of it. 

“In the near future, algorithms might make it impossible for people to know themselves. The algorithms will decide for us. Time is of the essence. If we make the effort, we can still investigate who we really are”- Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century 

Solitude deprivation- coined by Cal Newport, a state in which you spend close to ZERO TIME alone with your own thoughts and free from input from other minds

Tips to cut back on unhelpful comparison

1.  Review your core values, definition of success, and personal strengths 

2. Identify the Area you are comparing the most? Explore that. 

3. Where is the NOISE coming from?

4. Stay committed to curiosity and learning. 

5. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate

“Envy is the shadow of admiration. Both are calls from the soul to the ego whispering…try this” 

If you want to continue the discussions had on the podcast and have more reminders in your digital world to be mindful, listen to yourself and bring some joy please follow the podcast's new Instagram by following this link!

So, if you're in the mood for a cup of tea, a hug and a kick in the butt all at once, you're in the right place! 

If you vibed with this episode, SUBSCRIBE! And share a screenshot on your Instagram stories and tag me @ensusiasm @chargemycore . If you vibed...I bet your friends will too! Together we can figure out how to charge up ourselves as much as our devices...Until next time focus on less scroll and more soul.