Day 32 – Comparing Myself to Others

Today I am challenged to compile a list of people I compare myself to or have compared myself to in the past. There are 5 general categories for people I tend to compare myself to. In alphabetical order they are bosses, classmates, co-workers, family members, and friends. For this post, I’m going to focus on the first 3 categories.

In college I didn’t really compare myself with classmates, but I made a lot of comparisons to kids in high school. I recalled my feelings of “otherness” in high school in a Facebook post I made on July 17, 2022, about how the popularity of the TV show Stranger Things has made some nerdy stuff (like D&D) more socially acceptable. It took me a while to scroll through over a year’s worth of posts to find it, but here it is.

“I, too, was called a “freak” for being different. I got bullied by the popular kids because I didn’t belong or conform; because I liked punk rock, role playing games, and because I didn’t act “like a girl.” I will remember how I was often ridiculed as a young person for being my authentic, awkward self but I am glad that it’s cool to be a nerd now. I appreciate Stranger Things for recreating a space where we can get excited about the things we loved (and maybe even left behind) as kids. #authenticityispunk #nerdswerealwayscool #strangerthingsfan”

I recall a distinct contrast between myself and my past bosses. They've often exuded a sense of polished professionalism, appearing more put together, and their financial success has been evident, in clothing selections and hobbies. This disparity has been a reminder of the diverse paths we've each taken in our journeys, highlighting the unique strengths and perspectives I bring to the table.

I am aware of a juxtaposition in myself and many of my past co-workers. Like my bosses, my peers often radiated a certain level of stylishness; their choices of clothing and hobbies were also typically out of my league. I have always preferred thrifted chic over modern posh.

I speculate that their polished personas may have also acted as a shield to keep people at arm’s length. I could be entirely wrong. I’ll add that the individuals who I was able to get past their intimidating exteriors were often very rad people. While our personal and professional trajectories may differ, I've embraced my individuality, finding value in the lessons learned from my lived experiences.

Stock image provided by Unsplash.