TLDR: We all only get to catch a glimpse of each other's lives, so when we're comparing someone else's highlight reel to our whole reality, it's just not going to make us feel good. If you catch yourself here, try to take a step back and remind yourself that you don't know the whole story.
Tango's Take: Comparing Your Relationship ๐
With the rise of social media, we're all chronically online and in each other's business, so it's no wonder that we compare almost every aspect of our lives to others, including our relationships. But Dr. Rothman reminds us below that getting stuck in a comparison trap isn't productive, and usually you don't even know the whole story.
"Weโve all been thereโwe hear a friend or loved one talk about how amazing their relationship is, or maybe we witness first-hand a couple we know to be extremely supportive and affectionate out in publicโand the panic sets inโฆ is it bad that my relationship doesnโt look like theirs?! In truth, everything we see or hear about is just a tiny glimpse of that personโs relationship. Just like when weโre scrolling on Instagram, weโre only hearing or seeing one curated side of the story. Remember that there is always context we donโt have, details we arenโt privy to, and โthe other sideโ that we donโt know about. There may be plenty of similarities between your relationship and someone elseโs, but in truth, no comparison can be made unless the two situations are identical. Try to keep that in mind!"