How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others (6 Simple Ways)

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 1 October 2026

Short answer

Scrolling makes everyone look richer, fitter and happier. Six simple ways to stop comparing yourself to others: notice your triggers, remember it's a highlight reel, clean up your feed, compare with your past self, use envy as information, and practise gratitude.

You scroll for five minutes and suddenly everyone seems richer, fitter and happier than you. Comparing yourself to others is normal. But it can quietly ruin your mood. Here are six simple ways to stop.

First, why do we compare? It's a natural way to understand where we stand. The problem is what we compare. We see other people's best moments, and compare them with our everyday life.

Step by step

  1. Notice when it happens

    Notice when it happens

    Pay attention to the moments you feel worse about yourself. Is it a certain app, a certain person, or a certain time of day? Just noticing the trigger already gives you more control.

  2. Remember it's a highlight reel

    Remember it's a highlight reel

    People post the holiday, not the argument before the flight. The new car, not the loan. You're comparing your behind the scenes with someone else's trailer.

  3. Clean up your feed

    Clean up your feed

    Mute or unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself, even if you like the person. Follow people who teach you something or make you laugh. And set a time limit for the apps that hit you hardest.

  4. Compare with your past self

    Compare with your past self

    The only fair comparison is you, a year ago. What have you learned? What's easier now? Write down three things you've improved, no matter how small.

  5. Turn envy into information

    Turn envy into information

    Envy can tell you what you actually want. If you envy someone's fitness, maybe you want more energy. If you envy their job, maybe you want more freedom. Use that as a goal, not as a reason to feel small.

  6. Practise gratitude

    Practise gratitude

    Every evening, write down three things that went well today. It sounds simple, but it trains your attention to notice what you have, not only what you're missing.

Good to know

And remember, everyone is on a different timeline. Someone may be ahead in their career and behind in their health. You only ever see a small part of their story.

If comparing yourself to others is making you feel low for weeks, talk to someone you trust, or a professional.

In short: Notice your triggers, remember it's a highlight reel, clean up your feed, compare with your past self, use envy as information, and practise gratitude.