It’s time to stop looking at other people as the blueprint for our lives. Why are we constantly thinking about what other people are doing and if they’re better than us? This compulsive desire to be on the same level as everybody else is a very common human experience. We are all on different paths in this life. I used to get so stressed out hearing about all these amazing women around me doing internships and seizing opportunities I wasn’t even aware of. The most important thing to remember is to ALWAYS prioritize your mental health over anything. If your schoolwork is too much for you and all your peers are doing that AND internships, that is okay. Your mental health comes first; we cannot spread ourselves too thin in this world. It is important to work hard and be as efficient as possible, but not at the expense of your mental health.
There are so many other aspects in which we compare ourselves to others: the way we look, the way we exercise, the way we dress, the schools we attend, the jobs we get (or don’t), the list goes on and on. This feeling of insecurity will never fully disappear, but we can use it to harness something even more powerful: our awakening.
Instead of feeling inferior to others because of your differences, spin that in a positive light. For example, You may not be currently working at an internship, but you have straight A’s due to your free time. This will allow you time to build your skills and this will impress future employers. Another thing to remember is that nobody tells the truth anymore, meaning that their life may seem perfect and put together on the outside but we never know how it is on the inside. People paint a facade over themselves to hide their true insecurities. Don’t be discouraged when you see your peers “living their best life.” There is a good chance that they aren’t. Treasure these words and hold them close to your heart, for there is no greater feeling than self-love.