I have always been a negative, impatient person. These two are pretty deadly characteristics on their own but when coupled together, man they can really wreak havoc on every aspect of your life. It’s ruined relationships, friendships and career opportunities. To some extent, I probably always will be both of these things but it doesn’t matter. What matters is learning to recognize those ugly voices in your head that say why not me and not mulling it over. Feeding off of these words will drain all of your motivational energy. Trust me, I know. Theodore Roosevelt once said that Comparison is the thief of joy. Well isn’t that the honest truth. No one likes to talk about jealousy because it carries with it a sort of petty connotation that no one wants to be associated with. Comparing yourself to others is the easiest, most instantaneous way to feel like crap. No other method will get you there faster and I’d really like to stop doing this.

I think once you’ve hit the age of 25 you naturally start to take stock of your life every once in a while. What have I accomplished, Who am I, What do I have to show for–these questions circle your mind like horses in a carousel and you just sit on one of them for a while, hoping the ride’ll stop.

Lately I always feel like nothing is ever enough. I haven’t accomplished enough, I’m not working hard enough, I don’t look good enough etc. Comparing yourself to others really is the thief of joy and jealousy can take on complex forms. Sometimes someone else’s happiness can inevitably remind you of what you don’t yet have. We tend to focus on why not me instead of me. Whenever you compare yourself to someone else, it’s easy to forget the things that are actually going right in your life.

The point is, even though you’re not one of those glass half full type of people, you just need to be happy with your glass because it’s the only one you’ve got. Not happy about what’s inside it? Make a change. A friend of mine who’s a teacher once told me a story that kind of stuck with me. She was trying to explain the glass half full/empty metaphor to a group of 5 year-olds when one of them raised their hand. “But Miss, if you don’t see the glass half full why don’t you just fill it?” From the mouth of babes, my friends.

Its really important to stop negative thoughts in their tracks and re-wire your brain to think positively. Choose to be happy and to make other people happy when you get the chance. Doing the littlest nice thing can completely brighten someone’s day. Actually, it’ll not only brighten their day, but their whole perspective. And they won’t forget it.

I promise, no more preachy posts for a while! If you’re looking for me to recommend some self-help books, you’ve come to the wrong place lol. You’ll mostly find pictures of pretty decor and food here. Thanks for reading!

Photo via Irreverant Escapades who wrote a poignant post on comparison