In a world where so many of us are shaped by the invisible scoreboard of comparison, self-doubt has a way of getting into our lives. Life coach, author, and YouTuber Rachel Smets understands this all too well. In her TED Talk, she challenges this culture. We are constantly held up against one another—as if someone else's achievements could quantify our worth. Even those closest to us sometimes think they're helping when they push us to "catch up" or "be better." But so often than not, those words only deepen the self-doubt.
In her TED Talk, Rachel shares a powerful story that many can relate to: she once appeared to have the "perfect life," running her own business, surrounded by people who admired her.
But as she explains, behind the smiles was exhaustion and self-doubt—a reminder that surface comparisons only show part of the story. "Most comparison is not fair," she asserts, pointing out how the effort, struggles, and sacrifices behind someone's success often go unnoticed. She uses examples of celebrities like David Beckham and Beyoncé,
reminding us that their success, like anyone's, comes from relentless hard work. This behind-the-scenes reality highlights how comparing our inner struggles to others' outer achievements is inherently flawed.
Life isn't and will never be about proving ourselves against another's standard; it's about pushing our limits and discovering ourselves. It's about dedicating ourselves to learning and unlearning, embracing failure and redefining what it means to succeed. Imagine a world where we don't feel compelled to outperform the person beside us, where our happiness isn't measured by someone else's pay check. A world where we don't need to win; we only need to belong and just be.
Rachel's message is clear: stop comparing and start embracing your unique journey. Her story of overcoming self-doubt serves as a call to look inward for growth. The key isn't measuring up to others' lives but recognizing your progress.
To live like this, we must learn to appreciate ourselves without comparison. We must understand that each of us brings different things to the table, something that no one else can replicate. When we choose to shift our focus inward and root ourselves in our self-worth, we can step out of the shadow of self-doubt and into a place of genuine contentment.
So, here's to being enough—today, tomorrow, and always.
|Comparison is the thief of joy.
-Theodore Roosevelt
Credits
Adarsh I Jacob
2024-26
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