We can challenge the biological drive to compare ourselves to others by reframing our social situations.
Assigning value to oneself based on external accomplishments is a losing battle; external objects or achievements can't make someone a better human being.
Deep dives
The Biological Drive to Compare
The human brain is wired to care about status and our relative position in the social hierarchy. This drive to compare ourselves to others comes from our evolutionary history as tribal creatures. However, we can challenge this biological drive and shift our perspective by reframing our social situations.
Self Worth is a Fiction
Self worth is a social construct and assigning value to oneself based on external accomplishments is a losing battle. No amount of external objects or achievements can make someone a better human being. By recognizing that self worth does not exist, we can let go of the need to compare ourselves to others.
Every Human Being is Unique
Comparing ourselves to others is unfair due to the complexity and uniqueness of each individual. Everyone has their own life history, genetics, and environment that shape their abilities and achievements. It is important to recognize that we cannot accurately compare ourselves to others based on limited knowledge and cherry-picked facets of their lives.
Competition is Counterproductive
Focusing on competition leads to anxiety and insecurity. Instead, we should shift our focus to become creators and concentrate on our own growth and development. Competition is a losing game, as there will always be someone better, and even when we become number one, it doesn't bring long-term fulfillment.