The Calamity of Comparison

Comparison is woven into every facet of our lives. The idea of comparing yourself to your peers is introduced at such a young age that there lacks the opportunity to thrive in a world where differences, in any form, are always celebrated rather than ranked.

As an athlete, comparison is fundamental to our sport; the very nature of the game is to be the best on the day; to prevail when put against others. Therefore, comparison can not be feared, but it must be respected.

Like so many things, I believe one should only compare themselves if there is something to be learnt, and even then, I feel it should only be done in moderation. There is nothing to be gained in scrutinising your performances against someone else's, even if you come out better in said comparison. The reality is, you can never fully know what it has taken for an athlete to get on the start line/runway/throwing circle, and what they may have been/continue to go through behind the scenes. To indulge this ignorance, to make conclusions about your ability and self, both for better or for worse, is arguably a complete misuse of your time and energy, as it is fundamentally inaccurate, potentially calamitous to your own self-view and means nothing when viewed holistically.

I believe that one should be so captivated by their own purpose that they are not distracted by comparisons. In essence, you should have enough confidence in your own journey towards achieving your own goals, that the presence of other people's ambition and progression does not force you to lose sight of what truly matters.

One thing that has really helped me to be more confident in my evolution in relation to others, is having the recognition that everyone's pathway is different. There is no set route to success and in fact, the lack of a 'template for achievement', only solidifies the fact that anyone can be accomplished. In the past I had looked at others and wished my development had been as smooth as theirs had seemingly been. However, as I mentioned, you can never truly comprehend what people are going through underneath the smile, and in fact, now I have matured in my mindset, I wouldn't change my story for the world. It is the constant fluctuation in my health throughout my life that has kept me from being complacent, and has moulded a real sense of appreciation in me for the opportunities I am fortunate to be afforded. The almighty lows have made the highs even more special and I know that my inability to give up will be met with achievement when my time is right.

In the same way that we do not compare the sun and the moon, we must recognise that we all have our own time to shine, and when that time comes for you, may it be fantastic.

L x