In past posts, I’ve shared the Effects of Social Media and how quickly we can get wrapped up into the Social Media Tornado. These are two of my most popular posts and I know there is a reason for that, because comparison on social media is becoming a serious issue these days!

Many of us get so wrapped up into social media, we don’t even realize how big of an issue it can be until we’re hit with that comparison tornado, many people have to take a step back from it all together. That might mean logging out of social media for a little while, limiting your overall consumption of social media, or some even close their accounts all together. Sometimes you truly need to take a step back to realize the effect that it’s having on you.

Believe me, I know because it happened to me this past spring. I had to take a step back from social media and even this blog so I could take a good hard look at what needed to change in my life to be healthy when on these platforms, and I’m still making changes!

After taking that time, I realized that if I’m not conscious of the amount of time I spend on social media, I can find myself wasting hours checking and scrolling through social media with no purpose at all, while slowly getting wrapped into that social media comparison tornado.

I learned that there’s a line between trying to build a business and supporting it with social media, and wasting unknown amounts of time scrolling, with no business purpose at all.

I’m continually working on this, and since you’re reading this post, I’m guessing you might be able to relate. I also think you might be interested in some tips on how to stop comparing yourself to others on social media and how to manage your time on social media in a healthier way!

Today, I’m sharing a few things that have helped me to stop comparing myself on social media and what I’m doing to improve the amount of time I spend on social media all together!

Here are 6 ways to Break Free from Comparing Yourself on Social Media:

1. Turn Off Push Notifications

This can be for social media or even your work emails. Turn off the push notifications so you’re not constantly being updated when you receive new emails/notifications.

I did this with Instagram about 8 months ago, since I’ve noticed that Instagram is the leading culprit for me when comparing myself on social media. I’ve found that turning off push notifications has helped me to not get so attached to the app. I still check it more than I’d like to admit, but turning off the push notifications has definitely helped me to not check the app as often throughout the day.

The same goes for email, I no longer have email on my phone for work. I know this isn’t always an option for everyone, if not, you can choose to not receive notifications when you do have email on your phone and simply set aside certain times of the day to check it.

Believe me, when I was at my last job, I found myself checking my email ALL of the time! Now, it’s such a relief to not have that added pressure when not on the clock. Most emails can wait, if not, they likely know how to get a hold of you if it’s urgent!

2. Limit Social Media Time

This is also something I’m working on but it helps to not have the push notifications since you’re not constantly being notified when you receive a new like, comment, or direct message. Set aside a certain times of the day to check your social media.

We all know how wrapped up we can get into checking our social media and how easy it is to find ourselves an hour/hours into scrolling our feeds. Limit your screen time by having specific times of day for when you check it, instead of checking it constantly all throughout the day.

3. Unfollow

It seems so simple but many of us don’t think to simply unfollow people. This is advise I received from following others, and I love it! If the people you follow on social media are not adding to your life in some way, unfollow them!

You may be surprise at how many people you are likely following right now who are not adding any value to your life. If you find yourself complaining on social media often, it’s likely you have people you should unfollow right away. I’ve unfollowed various accounts since I received this advise and it has helped me tremendously!!

4. List 10 Things you’re Grateful for Daily

Quite a few leaders within the personal development industry have shared this advise and I love it!

Write down, say, or think of 10 things you are grateful for each and every day. They don’t need to be big things, it’s almost better if they aren’t. Simple things like perfectly made coffee, someone held the door for you, your hair looked great that day… etc, whatever simple things that you are grateful for that day.

I’ve started incorporating this practice into my everyday life and it has helped me to feel more gratitude towards little things I wouldn’t necessarily have noticed before. It has also improved my overall outlook since I’m consciously making a point to be more grateful each and every day and seek out the positives

5. Work on Yourself

If you find that you’re comparing yourself to others often, it’s likely because you’re unhappy with yourself or whatever that area is in your own life. If you’re envious of their body, relationships, job…etc., it’s because you’re not content with what you have. Work on changing your mindset and make a change in your own life!

Start working out, work on your relationship, start incorporating more personal development books/podcasts into your life, get a new job…etc. Make a positive change in your life and you’ll soon find you’ll be a lot less envious of what others have or are doing since you’re happy!

6. Share the Love

If you find yourself comparing your life to someone else’s, it’s because you’re envious of them in some way, as hard as that is to admit sometimes. Many times, we kick ourselves once we’ve found ourselves comparing our lives to others. We get down on ourselves for even letting it happen, but don’t get down on yourself! This happens to so many of us and putting yourself down for it isn’t going to help the situation at all!

If you find that you’re comparing yourself to someone else, instead of scrolling past the post, (or even in person) share the love and complement the person instead! Complementing someone else not only makes the other person feel great but it also makes you feel good too! Instead of holding onto those negative feelings… like the photo, comment on it, send a direct message to them…complement the person.

This is a great habit to incorporate into your life when you find yourself comparing because it spreads positivity, instead of negativity, which makes everyone feel great!

---

Do you have anything you’d add to the list? I’d love to hear from you!

xoxo – Katie