Something many young men and women struggle with is comparison.

For a very long time, I did not believe the saying "Comparison is the thief of joy." I simply did not think it was that big of a deal. Everyone sees pictures of beautiful women with amazing bodies and says "Wow, she looks incredible; her body is my goal." Or men will see pictures of super jacked guys and think "Dang, how can I get muscles like that?"

There is nothing wrong with saying these things. I even still catch myself comparing myself to others. However, it all comes down to how you think about it. If you are staring at pictures of these men or women and waiting for the day that your body begins to mirror theirs, you are going to be wasting a lot of precious time. Physically it is not possible for you to look exactly like someone else. Everyone has a unique body composition, shape, and genetic makeup. It is sadly the hard truth.

Since joining many fitness communities online, I have learned to believe that comparison truly is the thief of joy. All of these women reply to girls who say "You are my body goals" with "You should be your own goals." And that really hit me deep. Rather than looking at these strong, beautiful women and wishing to be them, I look at them and think about how happy I am for them. I am happy they are so proud of the hard work they put in at the gym to post about it with confidence. I am happy they work out because they love it and not because they "ate too much" the day before. In turn, this has made me even more happy and confident in myself. Instead of lusting after someone else's body, I think about how much hard work and dedication I put into mine, and how I am getting stronger every day. Who cares if I have more fat around my hips than someone else at the same height? Who cares if you are not as lean as he is when you are pushing your body to the limit every day?

This is all I wish more women my age could see and understand. Comparison really is the thief of joy. Like me, you may not have noticed it, but the more comfortable you become with yourself and the body you have been blessed with, the more joy you will find in your life. Cherish the lungs and heart you have been given that allow you to breathe quickly and pump the pedals on a bicycle. Celebrate your strong arms that allow you to lift those dumbbells over your head. Cultivate a love for your body and all that it is capable of doing, and become your own goals.

My body is my goals. This body can lift heavy weights; stretch, bend, hold poses in yoga; run with my dog; swim; row; and dance. Your body is wholly yours, and it is time to see just how amazing it is. Start by making it your goals.