Why Do We Compare Ourselves to Others? by Shuxuan Chang

 Why Do We Compare Ourselves to Others?

                   Have you ever felt like you were being compared to someone else? Of course I have. I’m on summer vacation right now. I wake up very late every day, and sometimes I don’t know what I should do. Whenever my mother sees me lying on my bed, she feels upset and tells me, “You should do something, not just sleep every day. Make your own plan and study.”

       After she told me that, I didn’t say anything. Then she started talking about other teenagers she knew and comparing me with them. I don’t know how other parents talk about their children, but sometimes I feel like my parents notice other teens’ achievements more than mine. I felt confused because I have also done things well. Why didn’t they see my efforts? But it’s okay. This is my life, and I remind myself of that.

        Later, I talked with my friends, and they told me they had experienced the same thing. Their parents also compared them with other teenagers. It wasn’t surprising to us because we had heard it many times before. Sometimes, parents compare their children because they want them to improve. They may believe that seeing others’ success can motivate us. However, constant comparison can also make teenagers feel like they are not good enough.

       I think everyone has their own strengths and their own path. We should not only look at what others have achieved, but also remember the things we have done well.