Why do we constantly compare ourselves to other people? Why does someone else’s achievement sometimes make our own accomplishments suddenly seem insignificant?
Why do we look at another person’s life and feel as though something is missing from ours? Perhaps the most interesting part is that, in many cases, no one actually asks us to compete. Yet we still find ourselves feeling as though we are falling behind. As human beings, we naturally look to those around us as we try to understand ourselves. We may evaluate our abilities, opinions, and possibilities by observing the experiences of others.
Psychologist Leon Festinger introduced Social Comparison Theory in 1954, suggesting that people have a tendency to evaluate themselves through comparison with others. Therefore, comparing ourselves with other people is not simply a habit created by modern society; it is also connected to a natural part of how people evaluate themselves.
However, the way we compare ourselves matters. Sometimes we look at people whom we consider more successful and measure ourselves against them. Such comparisons can inspire us to grow, but they can also make us feel inadequate. The problem begins when another person’s achievement becomes the standard by which we determine our own worth.
These patterns can sometimes begin in childhood. Statements such as “Look at how well they are doing” or “Why can’t you be like them?” may teach a child, consciously or unconsciously, to evaluate personal worth through comparison. Over time, external comparisons can become an internal habit. Instead of asking, “What do I want?” we may begin asking, “Where are others, and where am I?”
In today’s world, social media can make this process even more complicated. We often see carefully selected moments of other people’s lives: achievements, celebrations, travels, awards, and other positive experiences. What we usually do not see are their failures, doubts, disappointments, or difficult moments. As a result, we may end up comparing our entire lives with the most positive moments that someone else chooses to show.
Research suggests that the effects of social comparison on social media are not simple or identical for everyone. Some studies have associated upward social comparison—the tendency to compare oneself with people perceived as more successful—with negative self-evaluation and lower well-being. At the same time, research also indicates that the effects can vary depending on the individual, the situation, and the way social media is used.
This means that comparison itself is not necessarily harmful. Another person’s success can inspire us and encourage us to set new goals. The important question is what we do with that comparison. If someone’s achievement makes us think, “I can work toward something similar,” comparison can become a source of motivation. If it makes us think, “I will never be good enough,” it can become unfair judgment against ourselves.
For this reason, perhaps our goal should not be to eliminate comparison completely, but to learn how to manage it. Instead of asking, “Why am I not like them?” we can ask, “What kind of person do I want to become?” Instead of thinking, “Why are they ahead of me?” we can ask, “What have I done today to move closer to my own goals?”
One of the healthiest ways to measure progress is to compare ourselves with who we were yesterday. If we know something today that we did not know yesterday, accomplish something we once struggled with, or take a step we were previously afraid to take, that is also progress. Growth does not always come in dramatic or visible forms.
Life is not a race. Every person has a different starting point, different opportunities, different experiences, and a different path. Someone reaching a particular goal before us does not mean that their life is better than ours. Likewise, reaching our goals later does not mean that we have failed. So, the next time you look at someone else’s life and feel that you are behind, pause for a moment. You do not know their entire story, just as they do not know yours.
Do not measure yourself against someone else’s today. Measure yourself against your own yesterday. Because real growth is not about getting ahead of everyone else. It is about moving forward, even if only one step, on your own path.
Perhaps the greatest achievement is not becoming like someone else, but growing without losing yourself.
References
Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140. DOI: 10.1177/001872675400700202.
Meier, A., & Johnson, B. K. (2022). Social comparison and envy on social media: A critical review. Current Opinion in Psychology, 45, 101302.
Valkenburg, P. M. (2022). Social media use and well-being: What we know and what we need to know. Current Opinion in Psychology, 45, 101294.
McCarthy, P. A., & Morina, N. (2020). Exploring the association of social comparison with depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 27(5), 640–671
(To my dearest mentor in the medical field, my dear sister Karomatova Gulnoza)
Enduring so much hardship, staying awake at night,
Feeling your patient’s pain as if it were your own,
Speaking sweet words, never getting tired,
How fortunate that you exist, my sister Gulnoza
Because of you, my heart has also found peace,
From the bottom of my heart, my love and loyalty are for you,
I love you, and only you,
How fortunate that you exist, my sister Gulnoza
Tell me, what would I do if you weren’t there?
I would still be walking with a heavy illness,
I would fade away hopelessly and sorrowfully in grief,
How fortunate that you exist, my sister Gulnoza
May you always be healthy and safe for my happiness,
May you always walk with joy and rejoice,
Know that you are the absolute best for me,
How fortunate that you exist, my sister Gulnoza
Opening my hands in prayer, I ask of Allah,
I wish the most beautiful blessings and happiness for you,
How can I ever repay the debt of your kindness?!
How fortunate that you exist, my sister Gulnoza
Rayhona Sobirjonova is a talented young writer and first-year university student, born in December 2008 into an intellectually nurturing family. Supported and encouraged by her parents from an early age, she has developed a deep passion for literature, history, and creative expression. She began her creative journey in the 3rd grade, and her works have since been published in numerous international journals and newspapers. This curious and driven young writer continues to constantly explore and grow!
Dr HC Rozalia Aleksandrova lives in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She was born in the magical Rhodope Mountains, the cradle of Orpheus. Author of 12 poetry books. Editor and compiler of over 40 literary almanacs, collections and anthologies. She is a member of the Union of Bulgarian Writers.
Her poems was translated into many languages: Polish, English, Arabic, Spanish, Danish, Korean, Serbian, Italian, Albanian,Percian, French, Chinese,Romanian, Azerbaijani, Greek, Turkish, Bangla, Hebrew, Duch, Bengali, Russian. Her poems have been published in prestigious collections, almanacs, literary magazines and websites in Bulgaria, Europe and world. In March 2006 she created a poetic-intellectual association “Quantum and Friends” for the promotion of quantum poetry in civil society, Plovdiv and Bulgarian phenomenon. Initiator and chief organizer of the International Festival of Poetry SPIRITUALITY WITHOUT BORDERS from 2015. Every year she publishes one almanac for a Festival.
She is Doctor Honoris Causa of University UNQE – Mexico and member of the Federation of World Leadership and Hi Intelligense, representing Bulgaria. She is in Director`s board of Belgium literary site Atunis Poetry. She is ambassador for East Europe of Prodigy magazine, USA. She is honorary member of WFAI. She is a winner of the prestigious CESAR VALLEJO Prize for Literature – 2022, 2023 and prize of UHE – Golden Eagle – for Poetry and Peace 2023, 2025..Winner of the Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award 2022 and others. She was literary advisor in Central Chinese TV from 2023. She is literary consultant of IAETDAA – 2025, USA. She is literary advisor for Bulgaria of PLWV. She was awarded as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2025 by the Egyptian magazine Al-Rowad.
Apart from being a poetesse, she is also a scientist. She deals with the study and reflections of quantum and torsion physics in the field of language, poetry, culture, medicine, philosophy and methodology of science. She has published a book with popular science essays “Let’s open the door to the meaning or reflections of information science. Plovdiv 2015 and new book “The Wonders of the Poetry”, Plovdiv 2025.
NATAŠA RADANOVIĆ Visual Artist – Painter and Poet Serbia – Sweden Official Website: www.artaurora.net ⸻
BIOGRAPHY Nataša Radanović is a visual artist – painter and poet of Serbian roots and Montenegrin heritage. She was born in 1971 in Foča, Bosnia and Herzegovina. She grew up in Goražde, where she completed her primary and secondary education, and later continued her artistic education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade. She is a mother of two children. Her inclination towards art has been present since her earliest childhood, as a natural expression of her inner being. As a child, she participated in visual arts, theatre, recitation and musical activities. She began writing poetry and prose at a very early age and received recognitions for her literary work. She won her first award at the age of nine in a competition on the theme “The Cyclist”, when she received as a prize the book The Bridge on the Drina by Nobel Prize-winning author Ivo Andrić. Her works have been published in various magazines, newspapers, anthologies and literary collections in Serbia and abroad. Her poetry has been translated into several languages and presented to an international audience. In her creative work, she particularly explores themes of peace, humanity, spirituality, love, tradition and universal human values. Her artistic creation encompasses poetry, prose and contemporary visual art. The uniqueness of her expression lies in the connection between image and word – many of her paintings have inspired poems, while some of her poems have become the foundation for the creation of visual artworks.
⸻ LITERARY WORK AND PUBLICATIONS Nataša Radanović currently does not have a separately published book. Two of her manuscripts remained unpublished due to life circumstances. One manuscript remained in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Goražde, during the war period, while the second became unavailable after her divorce and major life changes. Her new book is currently in preparation and will represent her first published book. Until now, her creative work has been published in numerous anthologies, literary collections, magazines, newspapers and international literary publications in Serbia and around the world. Her poetry has been part of various international projects, with a special emphasis on peace, humanity and universal values.
⸻ ANTHOLOGIES AND LITERARY PUBLICATIONS The poetry and literary work of Nataša Radanović have been included in numerous domestic and international anthologies, collections and literary projects. Her works have been published in international literary editions and anthologies in Serbia and worldwide, including: * “Building of Logos” – dedicated to Saint Sava, * “Crown of Stars” – international anthology, * “Golden Feather of Switzerland – Inspirations 2026”, * international anthologies and collections dedicated to peace, love, humanity and universal values, * various international magazines and literary publications in several languages. Her poetry has been translated into several languages and presented to readers from different cultural backgrounds. Through her poems, she promotes ideas of peace, light, spirituality, compassion and connection among people.
⸻ INTERVIEWS, ARTICLES AND MEDIA PRESENTATIONS Nataša Radanović has participated in international interviews and media presentations. She gave an interview for an international magazine from Nigeria, and the publication of an interview for the Indian magazine OPA is also expected. Her artistic and literary work has been presented through various magazines, anthologies, collections, newspapers and media platforms around the world.
….. VISUAL ART AND EXHIBITIONS Nataša Radanović is a contemporary visual artist whose work is characterised by symbolism, emotional depth and a connection between the inner world and artistic expression. Her first solo exhibition was held in May 2021 at the “Potkovica” Gallery, within the Cultural Centre “Vlada Divljan” in Belgrade, organised by “Belgrade Art Show”. During a period of five years, she has realised a total of 28 exhibitions, including 13 solo exhibitions. Her other exhibitions include: * group exhibitions, * collective exhibitions, * humanitarian exhibitions, held in Serbia and abroad. She has participated in humanitarian exhibitions dedicated to supporting children, education, culture, the restoration of spiritual heritage and international humanitarian projects. Her artworks are held in private collections in different countries.
⸻ AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS Nataša Radanović is the recipient of numerous international awards and recognitions in the fields of literature, visual arts, culture and humanitarian work. Her recognitions include: * “Woman of the 21st Century” (2024) * “Serbian Tradition” (2025) for painting, poetry and humanitarian contribution * “Bronze Trace” * “Golden Star of Poetry” – India * Cultural recognitions from Russia * Two international awards from Egypt * “Natale in Arte” – Florence, Italy (2023) * Milan recognition (2026) * Humanitarian recognition from the UAE (2026) * “Golden Palm” – Italy * Recognition from the Global Literary Society * “Crown of Stars” * Certificate “Key of Stars” * Recognition “Building of Logos – Saint Sava” * and numerous other awards and honours in Serbia and abroad.
⸻ HUMANITARIAN WORK Nataša Radanović actively participates in humanitarian activities and projects dedicated to children, families, culture, peace, preservation of spiritual values and assistance to people in need. Through her artistic work – painting and poetry – she advocates humanity, love among people, peace in the world, protection of nature and the idea that art should serve humankind. She has participated in numerous humanitarian exhibitions and projects in Serbia, Sweden and abroad, providing support for various humanitarian causes: * assistance to children, including children with special needs and children suffering from illness, * support for vulnerable and disadvantaged people, * assistance to schools and education, * support for the restoration and construction of churches and preservation of spiritual heritage, * assistance to communities affected by natural disasters, including support after floods and other catastrophes in different countries, among them Turkey and Italy, * international humanitarian projects, including the humanitarian exhibition dedicated to supporting Venezuela. A special place in her humanitarian work belongs to the connection between art and compassion. Her exhibitions are not only presentations of artworks, but also a way to awaken awareness of solidarity, peace and responsibility towards others. She advocates peace in the world, the preservation of nature and the development of ecological awareness, believing that the greatest value of humanity lies in the ability to help others. Her artistic and life motto is a simple message: To be human, to spread goodness, and to leave a trace of light behind.
⸻ EXHIBITIONS DURING 2026 During 2026, Nataša Radanović participated in five humanitarian exhibitions: * An exhibition supporting the Children’s Fund and assistance to children, * An exhibition held on the occasion of the Saint Sava Ball, * An exhibition in Helsingborg dedicated to supporting children, * An exhibition in the Church of Saint Petka dedicated to supporting the construction of the Church of Saint Petka, * The humanitarian exhibition “Phoenix of Hope”, dedicated to providing assistance to Venezuela. ⸻ AUTHOR’S MOTTO “I do not write in order to be understood. I write in order to remain whole.” …. From: Serbia – Sweden
