Navigating the Art of the Comparison Trap

(Photo Credit: Ivory Mix)

This week, I want to chat about something that we've probably all stumbled into at one point or another... The comparison trap.

About this time last year, after completing the Immersion course with Bonnie Christine, I found a fellow aspiring surface designer who seemed to be on a path parallel to mine. We were both navigating the transition from established professional careers to the dream of creating full-time. In a way, she became a benchmark for me, a way for me to gauge my own progress and ensure I was on the right track.

But then, life got busy, and I lost track of her for a while. When I finally checked in on her progress recently, I saw her success, and it hit me a bit harder than expected and left me feeling surprisingly deflated. She has, by what I can tell, vastly outpaced me.

It's the all too common scenario, especially in this age of social media. We end up comparing our behind-the-scenes struggles and slow progress to other people's highlight reels, forgetting that what's posted online is usually a polished version of reality. And last week, I fell into that very trap, comparing her Instagram success to my own real-life journey. And I felt like I was missing the mark for a brief moment.

But then I remembered something important. We all have our unique timelines and challenges.

When I took a moment to look back on the year, I realized just how far I've come since the beginning of my journey. My progress, while different from my peers, is significant and unique to me. It's right on track.

And just as I was pondering all this, I received a notification from Spoonflower about a sale - just ~$.50 for a swatch, but it was a sale nonetheless. It was a small reminder, perhaps a "God-wink", that I am moving in the right direction.

I'm sharing this experience not to dwell on moments of doubt, but to highlight the resilience that follows. It's important to remember that our journeys are unique - not to be compared to others' seemingly flawless paths. Social media, while great, often blurs the line between perception and reality, making it all too easy to fall into the comparison trap.

Our paths are not meant to be the same. Our journeys as artists, and as individuals, are unique and personal. And while it's natural to look at others for inspiration and guidance, we cannot let their success or progress diminish our own accomplishments and growth.

So let's celebrate our own progress, no matter how small or slow it may seem. Let's remember that success is not a one-size-fits-all concept and that the only person we should compare ourselves to is who we were yesterday.

This coming week, I challenge you (and myself) to embrace your own journey and celebrate every step, no matter how big or small. Take a moment to reflect on your progress and appreciate all that you have achieved so far.

And don't forget to support and encourage others in their own journeys, because ultimately, we are all in this together!

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(Photo Credit: Ivory Mix)

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