Every day in January, ClassPass is sharing a new blog post written by a blogger in one of their 20 cities (see all posts here). From setting attainable goals to success stories, recipes and fun stories – these posts are providing readers all the tools needed to make 2015 your happiest year yet. This is a part of their New Year’s challenge: Blogging for a Happier New Year.
I am honored to be featured on the ClassPass blog. My post was shared yesterday and is titled: “How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others and Be Happy as YOU!” I was inspired by the Teddy Roosevelt quote that I kept seeing over and over again on Instagram – “Comparison is the thief of joy.” I hope you enjoy reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Nowadays, we have constant visibility into other people’s seemingly glamorous lives with sources like Facebook, Instagram and reality television. We are bombarded with photographs of perfect-looking people doing exciting things, like drinking champagne on the beach while wearing beautiful designer swimsuits and showing off their flawless bodies.
All too often, I will see these images while I’m still in my pajamas, crawling around an untidy playroom trying to catch my 7-month old daughter, with my hair in a messy bun and no makeup on. I cannot help but to compare my life to these ‘ideal people’ I see on social media and feel immense amounts of jealousy.
Why can’t my life be like theirs?
But then again, am I not just as guilty? I have often posted pictures of my life which make it seem a whole lot more put together than it is. You’ll see my daughter Isla in what appears to be a very clean room, but really all toys and books are pushed to the side – just out of the way of the shot. Or I’ll post a picture of a delicious dessert on a pretty napkin and spotless plate, but you won’t see the disastrous mess all around the kitchen. What goes on behind these styled photos is always quite different than what the camera may capture.
I think it’s important that we remember the pictures and images we see on Pinterest and blogs are not always ‘real.’ One of my favorite fashion bloggers, Brighton Keller of Brighton the Day, recently posted this picture to Instagram and wrote, “Sometimes […] I get so annoyed with myself and the whole Instagram-posting-process. With everything I post, I put so much pressure on myself and feel like it has to be perfect. Because I’m under the impression that ‘perfect’ does better. Or that you want to see ‘perfect.’ But you know what? I think perfect is straight up boring. And even more so, I think it’s annoying!”I have to agree with Brighton. There is so much pressure to create the facade of a perfect life, as we see others doing the same. It’s not real, and it is kind of annoying.
Comparing ourselves to others is a dangerous thing to do…
Continue reading on the ClassPass blog here.
See my blog post on ClassPass coming to Houston here.
14 Comments
Well said. I love that quote “when you love what you have, you have everything you need”.
I love that quote – I’ve never heard it before, but it summarized everything perfectly.
Wow. Great read. Thanks for sharing. I will be making my list today.
Thank you, Judy!!
I read this and retweeted, too! I love your take on this very sensitive topic, Ailee!
You’re so sweet. Thank you, Jae!!
I read it last night- you did awesome!
Thank you so much, Courtney! I really appreciate it. xo
Love this post, Ailee! Go Ailee go… becoming famous all over the place 🙂
I just laughed out loud. I’m not famous in one place, let along “all over the place” 😉 But I love the cheerleading spirit.
I don’t normally comment on blogs, but I really loved this article. I think too many of us are focused on keeping up with the Joneses and this is a great reminder on how to stop doing that. Thanks for sharing.
Aww, Paige. I am glad you decided to comment. It means a lot to me. Thank you so much.
Couldn’t agree more, Ailee. We are here to fulfill all our heart’s desires, but the best way to get them? By practicing gratitude for all we already have and are. Thank you, doll, for the tip, grabbing a pen and paper to start my list…xoxoxox
You’re the best. Thank you, Jenny. I appreciate the support you always show!!! Big hugs and kisses!! xoxo