Comparing yourself to others is at times unavoidable

[CCrox24]

This is sort of a spinoff from the girl's post in the other forum. I know that I said "stop comparing yourself to others" but come on, we all do it and sometimes it just seems like life is one big competition of one-upping other people. (for some people, that is) Even if it isn't about that, it's still hard to not look at other people who have what you want and not be jealous! :)

[winneythepooh7]

In some respects, yes, but others, no. I also firmly believe that we only see a little piece of the reality of another person's situation. For example, my boyfriend's business partner recently closed on his first home. My boyfriend beats himself up about not being able to buy a house yet. HOWEVER: his partner's parents basically gave him all the money to buy the house+repairs. This dude's parents are pretty crazy and domineering. The house is NEXT DOOR to them. And, dude will be paying close to $4000.00 per month when it's all said and done for this house next door to his crazy parents. The guy's future wife also had no say in the matter. This is just one example of many that I can think of that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side.

[cheshrcarol]

Winney, I feel the same way. I rarely compare myself to people, because everytime I think I'd like what they have, I realize I don't want exactly that. A friend of mine just got married. While I'm a little envious, I wouldn't want her husband (not my type), or their relationship (for several reasons). My old roommate bought a house and I was a little jealous, until I saw it and found out how much she pays a month. You couldn't have paid me to live there - the house looks like 1962 died there and it's not in a city I like, and she spends about 2x what my rent is. No thanks.

[Winter Storm]

While I think this comes natural at times, I try not to beat myself up for not being as far ahead of other people. It's okay for me to envy people, but I won't let it get me down.

Plus I always try and remember that just because they have something I want doesn't mean that I'm not doing well or just as good. And usually there is something I have that they want as well. The grass is always greener.

[wordsmith]

You might envy individual aspects...but I wouldn't want anybody else's life. There are always downsides that you don't always see.

My brother makes a good salary doing something that he loves...I, on the other hand, make a crap salary doing something I love, and that means different limitations for me than he has. But I see the things in his life that I really, really, really don't envy, and realize I wouldn't trade. And I also realize that there are aspects of MY life that he really envies, as well.

Comparing situations and accomplishments IS unavoidable. We all (even unconsciously) compare to see how we stack up (even though I don't believe that we're all trying to one-up others...some just want to keep up, it's not a competition for everyone). But sitting around and feeling like crap about it, rather than being pragmatic and realistic and telling yourself that you're only looking at one part of the equation, and nobody's life is perfect no matter what you may envy is TOTALLY something you don't have to do.

[fuzmiq]

There are certain aspects of people that I definitely envy. But it isn't always as it seems.
Example: My mom went to this "rich" guy's house. He lived in a really posh neighborhood. But inside the house there was no furniture because he couldn't afford to have any.

[HIKU]

I personally compare with people I admire... and try to pick up things that can help better myself, be it: finacial wisdom, socialbility, education level, and etc. etc. We all can benifit from comparing with other... its a matter of how you preseive it...