I’ve always had an issue with comparing myself to other people. I think it comes from the fact that I always wanted to either be at the same level as my siblings or better than them. I wanted to be talented like them. One would think that two decades later I would realize that people have different talents, and focus on those, but sadly the focus just shifted to my peers.   I feel the need to explain that I am not jealous of my peers. I just tend to use them as a gauge for where I should be, and if I don’t meet whatever ridiculous standard I set for myself then I get upset.

There is nothing wrong with having goals. Goals keep a person motivated, and having friends with similar interests root for you while you are both trying to reach the same goal is amazing. You always have someone to talk to when you’re frustrated about something. I like to reach out to my fellow writer friends when I’m having writer’s block, or when I’ve had a breakthrough before I start trying to write it down. I am also always happy to read someone’s work and give feedback if they aren’t sure about something.

The problem I’ve been having lately is it seems like a lot of people I know are getting into writing when they’ve never had an interest before, and I never heard them talk about it when I spent time with them. They just keep posting statuses about how they’ve written 300 pages in the past two days, and about things their readers have said, but without a link to where they are currently publishing this work.  I have been comparing myself as a writer with people like that, and then I get angry if I struggle to write a page. Don’t compete with someone if you haven’t even told them that there is a competition. You only end up compromising your own progress because you are so worried about being the best. The person you are competing with may be your biggest fan, and you may not know it because you’re too busy trying to keep up with them.

There will always be someone who you think is the best, and there will always be people who will criticize your work. My goal for 2020 is to focus on my own talents, and support those around me when they are doing the same. The only person who is responsible for your growth is you, so try not to be a weed for those around you.