The Joy of Knowing You are Enough by Natalie

Opportunities to compare yourself arise at every moment. When you are on your phone or even surrounded by your friends, comparing thoughts and ideas often creep into your subconscious. You may not fully realize it at first, but these thoughts materializing from comparison can lead you to feel that who you are, what you look like, and what you have aren’t good enough. 

WHO YOU ARE IS ENOUGH

You may compare who you are with others, you may wish you were different, you may not see who you really are—but if you did, you would know that you are enough.

Whether on social media or in everyday life, it’s easy to notice the things someone else has that you don’t. You see their highlights and without warning yours fade into lowlights. 

In research studies on the effect of social media, 48% of teens felt that social media creates a negative impact. Online scrolling is probably the easiest place for you to compare yourself and your life to other people’s. When using social media it’s vital to keep this quote by Theodore Roosevelt in mind: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” 

Comparison is what stops you from fully realizing and appreciating the unique person you are. When you come to know and understand yourself, you can find joy and contentment in your life. When you realize that who you are is enough, comparison won’t be able to find a way in—and it won’t steal your joy.

WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE IS ENOUGH

You may judge the person in the mirror in front of you, you may wish you looked more like the person on the Instagram post, you may not appreciate or see the person you really are, but if you did you would see someone who is enough.

If how you think of yourself is diluted with analysis and disapproval, then how you see yourself is diluted also. 

In a study about mirror-gazing, scientists discovered that when your mind is diluted with thoughts focused on your imperfections, the person you see in the mirror is diluted by these false and negative thinking patterns. 

Take Regina George from Mean Girls as an example. In the beginning of the movie she and the Freshman Plastics walk into her room and stand in front of her mirror. Their thoughts are focused on and tainted with imperfections they believe to be true. It’s clear to the audience that all of their self accusations are not actually accurate. It’s not the truth they see but the falsehoods they think to be true. 

Do not let your thoughts be tainted. 

You have your own unique style, characteristics, talents, and personality. With the many influencers today displaying what they think to be the perfect look, it’s easy to get sucked in. It can be fun to follow people on social media, but to do it in a way that allows you to feel good about who you are.

In order to enjoy life in a comparison free zone you must love the person you are and what you look like. Then, when certain ideas of the perfect style or size come your way, you won’t judge yourself. You will know that what you look like is more than enough.

WHAT YOU HAVE IS ENOUGH

You may crave to have the next best thing, you may long for something someone else has, you may not recognize what you do have—but if you did you would find that what you have is enough. 

A few weeks ago I found a fun new Pinterest account that created “Get Ready With Me Videos.” The girl had so many great tips and products. Pretty soon, I noticed myself wanting all of them. I compared myself and my belongings with this girl’s. I realized that after watching her videos I felt that what I had wasn’t good enough and that to be like her I would need to purchase the hundreds of products she used. After some shopping, I quickly realized how much this would cost me.

I stepped back and noticed the things that I already had and found that it was enough. 

Dr. Alicia Nortje said, “Practicing gratitude and focusing on personal achievements can mitigate the negative effects of social comparison & enhance wellbeing.” With this idea in mind I can recall now that once I stepped back from the social media videos, I started to recognize the things that I already had.

Instead of a longing for the things I didn’t own, I found enjoyment in what I did. 

Being inspired by people on the internet or in person is important. But in order to really find joy in their ideas and tips you must not compare their belongings or life to your own. You must practice gratitude for what you have. If you do, it will remedy the negative effects of comparison. Knowing that what you have is enough and being grateful for it brings you a greater quality of life!

When you begin to see yourself as someone who is enough you will find joy. You will be able to see what others have but not feel as though your belongings, looks, or life need to be just like theirs. You will value the person you are instead of comparing and being critical of them. 

You will recognize that who you are, what you look like, and what you have is not just enough—it’s beyond compare.