33 Comments

@Salwa 🇬🇧 - Thank you for, again, sharing an important and inspiring post with the Substack community. To quote you, "What comparison fails to show us is that we’re all carrying different weights." Ain't that the Truth with a capital t. To learn how to carry our "emotional weights" better and help others do the same - as you do is so important in our journey.

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@Bronce Thank you so much for your kind words as always! I’m so glad the post resonated with you. We each have our own unique struggles and paths to walk, and comparison only adds unnecessary weight. It means a lot to know that you’re embracing this perspective too.

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I love this: "A daily gratitude list—whether it’s three things or twenty—reminds you of the abundance in your own life." Expressing gratitude daily, or even several times a day is a powerful practice that raises your vibration and opens you to receive even more good! ❤️🌞

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I’m so glad that resonated with you! Gratitude really is such a game-changer. It shifts our focus from what’s missing to what’s already abundant in our lives, and it’s amazing how much more good can flow in when we make it a daily practice. Here’s to raising our vibrations and welcoming more blessings! 💖🌞

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Having a child with Down syndrome taught me to break out of the comparison trap 37 years ago. It's freeing, but it was also hard initially. But preserving sanity became more important. Looking at each day's accomplishment instead of looking outwards at what everyone else was doing also helped. I have much to thank my middle child for, but the single biggest thing was learning to stay in the present.

Reading your post reinforces that long ago lesson.💖

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What a powerful lesson your child has taught you! Staying in the present and appreciating each day’s accomplishments instead of comparing is such a freeing mindset. It’s amazing how much peace comes from focusing inward, especially when the world around us can feel like it’s rushing by. Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience—I can feel the wisdom and love in your words. 💖

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I love this, I've learned this but find myself back at it. This was a great reminder to shift out of the mindset I've been in. Thanks for this share! I appreciate your content! 😊

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I’m so glad this served as a reminder for you! It’s easy to fall back into those old patterns, but the important thing is recognising when we do and shifting back. Thank you for your kind words—I’m happy my content resonates with you! Keep embracing your growth, and don’t be too hard on yourself. 😊

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What a great post to come to this morning, just the right timing for me! Thank you. I love these words.... "just because your journey looks messy doesn't mean it isn't valuable" and what you write about "honouring the beauty of individuality." Great toolkit too for those of us whom comparison with others can often bring feelings of not-enoughness. Thank you.

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I’m so glad this post resonated with you, especially at the right time! It’s such a powerful reminder that our journeys are unique and valuable, no matter how messy they may seem. Comparison can be so sneaky, but honouring our own path is where the magic really happens. Thank you for your kind words! 💖

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We should never compare our lives to others. We each have individual lives, paths our destinies.

To judge others as we do ourselves. Is not ours to see.

The impact each of us has, be it big or small, places of light and dark, as yet we never see. To be patient, with encouragement, with growth for all. Our work may never be complete or even seen.

Always have faith in what you do.. As this is your path and where you are led to be.

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Such a beautiful reflection! It’s true—each of us has our own path and purpose, and comparing ourselves to others only clouds the journey we’re meant to take. The impact we make, big or small, is often felt more deeply than we realise. Faith in ourselves and our work is key, even when the results aren’t immediately visible. Your words are a powerful reminder to trust the process and stay grounded in our own truth. Thank you for sharing this! ✨

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You are a beautiful writer and thoughtful soul. Take off the blindfold. As you will grow in every way. Be proud, and stand tall, this truly is your destiny always have faith in who you are and always to be seen ❤️🇬🇧🕊️

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Thank you so much for your kind words! Your encouragement means a lot to me ❤️

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When I'm in the comparison mindset, I realize how much I'm tuning to things outside of myself and turning them into a less-than-kind inner voice. "I should be doing that." "Why don't I have..?" It takes an intentional mindful switch to turn the focus inwards and remember...remember what I've learned so far, remember what I am grateful for and why, and be compassionate and kind towards myself, giving myself some grace. Thank you for your beautiful reminders.

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That’s such a beautiful reflection. It’s so easy to get caught up in comparison, but shifting inward with gratitude and self-compassion makes all the difference. Giving ourselves grace is a practice, but it’s one of the most important ones. Thank you for sharing this! ❤️

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Salwa, if you only knew how much your writing moves me. How much your pieces and our conversations resonate through me, elevating my mindset.

When I need your magic the most, here you are. And my heart is now still, energy reset and smile on my face.

Thank you, Salwa.

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Hi Allison, thank you so much! Your words really touched me. I’m so glad my writing resonates with you and helps in some way. It’s moments like this that remind me why I write. Sending love and a big smile your way! 💛

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“Just because someone’s life looks polished on the outside doesn’t mean it’s without cracks. And just because our journey looks messy doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable.”

These two lines: amazing!

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I’m so glad you resonated with those lines! It’s such an important reminder that everyone has their own struggles, even if they’re hidden behind a polished exterior. Our messiness—our struggles—are often what make our journey so meaningful and unique. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 😊✨

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A wonderful post Salwa. In a personal growth program years ago the group was taught the dangerous power of should. A powerful mantra that came from that was "Don't should on yourself". Do it, dump it or delegate it. Should has left me alone ever since.

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I love that mantra David! “Don’t should on yourself” is such a powerful reminder to let go of unnecessary pressure. It’s freeing to stop using “should” as a measure of your worth or actions. Instead, focusing on what you truly want to do and what aligns with your values makes such a difference. Thank you for sharing this! 🙌✨

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When we know and understand that God made us to be me and not the other person we look at, we feel comfortable trying to be the person God made us to be. Living by His guidelines and using the gifts He has given us brings peace and comfort while we make memories we will enjoy looking back upon.

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Absolutely! Embracing who we are, as we were uniquely created, brings such a deep sense of peace. When we stop comparing ourselves to others and focus on living out our true selves, guided by our values and purpose, life becomes so much more fulfilling. It’s about walking in the path that’s meant for us, and with that, we find joy in the journey and comfort in the memories we create along the way. 💖

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I love that you brought up using those ahead of you as an inspiration rather than envy.

I've noticed that we're always judging ourselves with the people ahead of us rather than the people who are behind us.

And as someone once pointed out, would we be willing to give up all that we have to be where they are?

I think for most of that answer would be no. - Keeping that in mind makes us appreciate what we have rather than don't have.

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Exactly! It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to those ahead of us, but we often forget to acknowledge how far we’ve come. Reflecting on where we’ve been and what we’ve built helps us appreciate the journey we’re on. And as you pointed out, would we really trade our experiences for someone else’s path? Probably not. Recognising that makes it easier to be content and grateful for where we are right now. It’s all about finding value in our own story. 💫

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Those prompts are really insightful and amazing! I will have to sit down and journal that sometime!

I've been caught in the comparison trap for much of my life. I believe I am finally able to let that go, at least that is my intention. I am making sure to notice it when comparison creeps in. Then going from there.

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It’s so great that you’re recognising when comparison creeps in—that’s such a powerful first step! It’s like catching yourself before you get too far into the trap. Journaling can definitely help untangle those thoughts and remind you of your own progress. You’ve got this, and every time you choose to embrace your journey instead of comparing it to others, you’re reinforcing your own worth. Keep going! 🙌💫

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Thank you so much!

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Brilliant! Thank you for sharing! I’m definitely following this wisdom.

Blessings!

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You’re so welcome Tara! I’m really glad it resonated with you. Keep embracing your journey with all the wisdom you’re gathering—it’s such a powerful thing. Blessings to you too! ✨💖

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Salwa, thank you for such a valuable piece. The one thing that I do (as you recommend) is to practice gratitude. It is amazing what a different perspective we gain, when we recognize that we are not in control of everything!

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You’re so welcome Ann! I’m so glad it resonated with you. Gratitude truly shifts our perspective, doesn’t it? It’s such a powerful reminder that we don’t have to control everything to appreciate the beauty and blessings around us. Keep practicing—it makes all the difference! 😊✨

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