Welcome back to another episode of podcast and chill, dear listeners.
I'm your host, Leo, the guy who teaches you something while making you laugh.
And I'm Gwen, your informative host, here to help you understand today's topic.
Today, we have a topic that many of you might relate to.
We're talking about comparison, how we compare ourselves to others, and why we should stop.
Exactly. Comparing ourselves to others can make us feel bad.
But don't worry, Leo and I are going to explain why comparing can be harmful.
We'll also give you simple tips to help you focus on yourself.
Are you ready to start this journey?
Then let's get started.
Have you ever thought about why people compare themselves to others, Leo?
Well, people compare themselves to other people for different reasons.
Some want to know how they are doing compared to others.
Others feel stressed from friends or society.
Oh, yeah. Comparing can help them see what they are good at and what they need to improve.
But it can also make them feel sad or like they are not good enough.
So, comparing ourselves to others can be bad.
Have you ever thought about why this can hurt us?
Let me explain it to you.
When we compare ourselves to others, we often feel like we're not good enough.
For example, if you see someone who's more successful, smarter, or better looking, you might think, why am I not like them?
This can make you feel sad and stressed.
Yes. And when we focus too much on what others have achieved, we forget to work on our own progress.
It's like being in a race, but you're always watching others instead of focusing on yourself.
I also talk about comparison, but it's about looking back at how you've been comparing yourself over time.
Exactly. Everyone's life is different.
We all have our own challenges, strengths, and goals.
So, comparing yourself to someone else is like comparing apples to oranges.
It doesn't make sense.
Here's something interesting from a study by the American Psychological Association.
It showed that people who often compare themselves to others are more likely to feel anxious.
That's a great point, Gwen.
So, what can we do?
How can we stop comparing ourselves and start feeling better about our lives?
Let's talk about that next.
One good way is to focus on your own progress.
Even small steps are important.
Gwen, how can our listeners see their progress?
Well, Leo, you can look back at where you started.
For example, if you're learning English, think about how much better you are now than a few months ago.
Maybe before you couldn't understand English movies, but now you can understand some words.
That's progress. Yes.
Remember, progress takes time.
You can't learn English in just one day, but if you practice every day, you will get better.
A good way to see your progress is to write it down.
Keep a notebook. Each week, write one thing you did better.
For example, this week, I learned 10 new words or I spoke English with my friends.
That's a great idea.
You can also make a success board.
Put notes or pictures of your achievements.
This will help you see your progress.
Yes, even small steps are still steps forward.
Even if you feel slow, you're still moving forward.
Do you think social media can stop us from feeling good?
Let's talk about it.
Oh yes. Social media like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, it's everywhere.
Social media can be fun, but it can also make us feel bad about ourselves.
Gwen, why do you think social media makes us compare more?
Well, Leo, on social media, people only show the best parts of their lives.
You see nice pictures, happy moments and big wins, but you don't see the hard times.
The failures or the problems they don't show.
That's so true. It's easy to look at someone's vacation photos or a friend's new job and think, why isn't my life like that?
But what you see online is not the whole story.
We don't see the tough moments on Instagram or Facebook.
Someone might show a picture of their new car, but they don't show the hard work they did to get it.
Or someone might post a picture looking great, but they don't show the effort it took to look that way.
So next time you look at social media, remember you're only seeing the good stuff?
Instead of comparing, think about what you're doing well.
And now we will learn some vocabulary from today's podcast episode.
You can take out your notes to learn these words.
Comparison, definition, the process of comparing two or more people or things.
Example, comparing yourself to someone else is like comparing apples and oranges.
Challenge, definition, something difficult that needs a lot of effort to do.
Example, everyone's life is different.
We all have our own challenges and strengths.
Achieve, definition, to reach a goal or complete something important.
Example, when we pay too much attention to what others have achieved, we forget to focus on our own progress.
Strength, definition, something you are good at or strong in.
Example, everyone has strengths.
Some people are good at sports, others are creative.
Progress, definition, the process of improving or developing something.
Example, even small steps are important for your own progress.
It's time to practice with two questions related to the topic of the episode.
Focus on the question and answer as best you can.
Please type your answer below in the comment section to discuss with others' listeners.
Question one, why is it important to focus on your own progress instead of someone else's success?
Because watching your own progress helps you grow.
Everyone is different, so don't compare.
Question two is, how can you avoid comparing yourself to others when using social media?
You can remind yourself that social media shows only the best parts of life, not the whole story.
Just focus on your own strengths and progress and take breaks from it if needed.
Let's continue. I see a lot of people worry that they are not as good as others, and it's hard for them to think in a positive way.
What do you think, Leo?
Everyone has strong points, even if they're different from others.
Some people are great at sports, others are creative, or maybe you're good at solving problems.
It's important to recognize your own strengths and focus on developing them.
If you're good at writing but not great at speaking English, don't feel bad about your speaking.
Focus on getting better at writing first.
That's a great example.
You don't have to be good at everything.
You just need to focus on what you're naturally good at and what makes you happy.
Yes, and it's okay if your strengths are different from others.
Maybe your friend is great at public speaking, but you're really good at organizing and planning.
They are both valuable skills.
When you become more confident, you can also start to get better at speaking.
This will help you stop looking at others and feel good about what you can do.
Have you ever thought about celebrating your own journey?
A lot of us feel like we're not doing enough.
It's because we only think about the final goal, like learning English, finishing school, or getting a job.
But the small things you do today are as important as the big ones later.
Let's see one more example.
You've been practicing English for a few weeks now, but you still feel like you're not good enough.
You might think, I'll never speak English fluently, but if you look at your journey, you might realize that you can understand simple sentences or say a few phrases.
That's progress and it's something to celebrate.
Here's a practical tip.
Every time you make even a little bit of progress, give yourself a small reward.
It could be something simple, like watching an episode of your favorite TV show or treating yourself to something you enjoy.
You can also write things in your notebook like, I had a short talk in English today, or I learned 10 new words this week.
Every step forward counts no matter how small.
Now, let's talk about how to appreciate other people's success without comparing yourself to them.
Think about when you have a friend who is really good at speaking English.
Instead of comparing yourself to them and feeling sad, you can think, wow, they worked hard to get there.
Maybe I can ask them for some tips on how to improve my speaking skills.
That's a great mindset.
Someone else's success doesn't mean you're not successful too.
We're all on different paths and we can all succeed in our own ways.
Moreover, everyone moves at their own speed.
It's okay if you take longer to reach your goals than your friend.
Other people's successes don't take away from yours.
There's enough success for everyone.
Supporting others can also make you feel good and motivated.
It's a win -win. Now, let's talk about something that can really help us feel better.
It's accepting yourself.
When you practice it, you can recognize that you are enough just as you are.
You don't need to be perfect or like someone else to be valuable.
A great way to practice it is through taking a few moments each day to focus on your breathing.
This can help you let go of negative feelings and focus on the present.
Yes, studies show that it can reduce stress and improve mental health.
When you accept yourself, you stop comparing and feel happier.
So remember, you don't have to be like anyone else.
You are enough and your journey is unique.
Valuable definition, something that is important or useful.
Example, both public speaking and organizing are valuable skills.
Celebrate definition to show happiness for something good that has happened.
Example, you should celebrate your own journey and achievements.
Mindset, definition, the way you think about something.
Example, having a positive mindset can help you appreciate your own progress.
Path, definition, an action or direction in life that a person chooses to follow.
Example, we can all succeed in our own paths.
Unique, definition, being the only one of its kind.
Example, everyone's journey is unique.
Let's continue practicing with the next two questions.
What is meant by strong points?
Can you give an example?
Strong points are the skills or traits that someone is really good at.
For example, being good at writing or being a great leader.
What does the podcast say about the importance of supporting others?
Helping others makes a positive space where people want to work together.
It helps build friendships and makes everyone feel important.
So it is the end of our discussion today.
Remember, stop comparing yourself, focus on your own progress and celebrate your journey.
You're doing great.
Thank you everyone for listening.
We hope this episode helped you learn some new English phrases as well as some useful tips for your life.
And if you have any questions or topics you'd like us to explore, send us a message.
Don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with your friends.
See you next time. Thank you.
