149: I’m Struggling with Comparison

05/13/24 • 38 min

Comparison – is it always bad? I actually do a lot of comparing like grocery deals, gas prices and clothing fits and trends. The basic idea of comparison is examining similarities or differences between two or more things. It becomes detrimental when we let social comparison – myself vs others – indicate degrees of superiority or inferiority.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

President Theodore Roosevelt

Social comparison is a happiness quest. We get a hit of dopamine when we decide our house is the best, clothes are the best or new spray tan is the best. It is short-lived and shallow. Joy runs deep and exists in the face of trial and hardship. It lasts beyond the moment of happiness and holds us steady when life doesn’t go our way.

Comparison is a chase. Joy is a choice.

Comparison separates. Joy connects.

How can you overcome the comparison trap and choose joy?

Limit social media.
Pray before social gatherings.
Manage your inner critic.
Practice gratitude.

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“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

President Theodore Roosevelt

Comparison is a chase. Joy is a choice.

Comparison separates. Joy connects.

How can you overcome the comparison trap and choose joy?

Limit social media.
Pray before social gatherings.
Manage your inner critic.
Practice gratitude.

Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!

SPONSOR:

Mosquito Shield

Go to moshield.com or call 214-897-3077 to schedule your treatment. Tell them you heard about them on Gather Moms and you get $25 off your first treatment.

For Girls Like You

Get the For Girls Like You Magazine today! A Christ-centered magazine for girls 8-12. Get 20% off by using Gather20 at checkout.

Get Mom Struggles on Amazon

Support Us: Monthly Donation | One-Time Donation

Connect with Us:

Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook

Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Previous Episode

148: I’m Struggling with Being Intentional

Let’s get real – perfect mom schedules are a myth. But hey, that’s okay because we’re about to spill the tea on how tiny, intentional choices can create a family culture that’s all about faith and being together. And with summer around the corner, we know things can get a bit wacky with the kids’ schedules all over the place. So, we’re here to share our personal tips on keeping our homes nurturing and full of spiritual growth. Think setting goals with our little ones, managing screen time, and squeezing in those moments of praise and worship.

We’re also going to tackle the craziness of “May-cember” and make sure we’re all set for a summer that’s about thriving, not just surviving. And get this, we’re inviting you to our Patreon community, where we’re all about cheering each other on. There are some fabulous tools waiting for you, like a goal tracker PDF and a special koozie to keep you inspired.

So, grab your coffee (or tea, we don’t judge), and let’s dive into this beautiful mess of motherhood together. We’re shaping a summer filled with intention and joy, and we can’t wait for you to join us.

Hugs and high-fives!

Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!

SPONSOR:

Mosquito Shield

Go to moshield.com or call 214-897-3077 to schedule your treatment. Tell them you heard about them on Gather Moms and you get $25 off your first treatment.

For Girls Like You

Get the For Girls Like You Magazine today! A Christ-centered magazine for girls 8-12. Get 20% off by using Gather20 at checkout.

Get Mom Struggles on Amazon

Support Us: Monthly Donation | One-Time Donation

Connect with Us:

Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook

Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Next Episode

150: I’m Struggling to Parent Well

Parenting is such a huge topic! Each of us have specific struggles we are navigating with our kids, maybe even different struggles for each kid creating an overwhelming feeling. Today Rebecca shares 2 parenting principles that are important in every home.

Intentional Parenting

Raising passionate Jesus followers or even good citizens takes intentionality. Parents need to know what kind of adults they want to produce and then do their best to raise their children with that end in mind.

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV), Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Remember that this verse is a principle, not a promise. God doesn’t give us control over the outcomes of our children. He asks us to trust him and parent well but we can do all the ‘right’ things and still have children that choose their own way.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.“

Managing Emotions

The ability to accept disappointment and unpredictability and talk yourself down, that’s a very long developmental process that most children don’t have until they are older.

We see this so much in kids today. They don’t know how to handle big emotions. They feel so deeply and it can come out in inappropriate ways – name calling, foul language, violence, gossip, meanness, bullying, etc. We can be kind and firm with our kids, teaching them that emotions are natural, but the expression of them has boundaries.

You can start young with these techniques:

Echo – Repeat their feelings back. I see that you’re sad because you want that toy and I said no. I see you are mad at mommy because she won’t let you run off from the basket.
Validate – That would make me mad too. I like being able to go wherever I want.
Offer a choice – You can either hold my hand as we finish our shopping or we’ll leave and go to the car because you can’t obey. It’s your choice.
Clear consequences – You want to hold my hand? Great! I want you to know that if you change your mind and run off again, I will pick you up and walk out of here.

Join us HERE for GOOD DAY, GATHER!! When you join at the $10 level, you get a cute, iced-drink koozie. When you join at the $20 level, you get a koozie for you AND a friend!

SPONSOR:

Mosquito Shield

Go to moshield.com or call 214-897-3077 to schedule your treatment. Tell them you heard about them on Gather Moms and you get $25 off your first treatment.

Get Mom Struggles on Amazon

Support Us: Monthly Donation | One-Time Donation

Connect with Us:

Gather Moms: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Kate Henderson: Instagram | Facebook

Rebecca Bradford: Instagram | Facebook

Email: [email protected]