I’ll be honest. My worst habit has always been my tendency to compare my looks, my accomplishments, and practically my entire life to those of the people around me. I feel a constant need to measure up, and when I compare myself to other people, I always fail to fulfill this impossible task.

In our ever-evolving world of social media and competition, it's so easy for us to compare ourselves to those around us. And let me tell you, it's so easy to get sucked into the lie that we are behind, mistaken, or incompetent because of these silly comparisons.

The fact of the matter is that these other people we’re constantly comparing ourselves to have no control of what we do with our lives. The lives of others are not standards we should use to measure up our own personal successes.

No matter how much we obsess over what others have done and have accomplished, we are the ones in the driver’s seat. No one else can control your life other than you, and constantly nitpicking the directions and journeys that others are taking will never get you to the destination you want to arrive at.

And, honestly, no other human can ever compare to what you do with your life and when you choose to do it…

…seriously.

Here’s why: Everyone's life is meant to be lived according to what they want, what they believe, and what they’ve been through.

Your life is not determined by someone else’s. It’s determined by every experience you’ve ever faced. Anything that you accomplish, begin, or even dream is a result of every moment you’ve experienced thus far. And every moment you’ve experienced can never exactly compare to another human being’s experience. It’s your life, according to your own personal timing.

It’s impossible to be satisfied with your life when you compare it to the life of someone else because it’s impossible to have the exact same timing as anyone else.

They are not you. And you are amazing, capable, and accomplished, even when your life differs from that those around you.

You are unique in every way, and your life is crystal-clear reflection of who you are. So many memories, so many choices, so many people, and so many of your own gifts combine to create the beautiful and remarkably special experience that is your life. No award, certificate, or belonging that another person has can take away the extraordinary and one-of-a-kind life that you have created for yourself.

Be proud of wherever you are at in your life. Be proud of your accomplishments, whatever they may be. Celebrate every little success because every moment that you live out is another word, page, or chapter in your own personal storybook. Your life is your own, to create, to celebrate, and to cherish. Don’t let anything or anyone take that away from you.