Helllloooo! The title of today’s post has kind of a double meaning. Just wait and see…
A lot of fellow bloggers are addressing the comparison trap topic on their blogs lately, and it’s got me thinking about how no matter how hard you try, it’s so easy to fall into the “trap.” I, for one, am guilty of sometimes allowing someone’s positive stories and experiences affect me to the point that I forget about all the great things I have going on in my life.
Two examples come to mind when I think of this nasty trap…
One has to do with my long distance relationship. I find myself getting sad and emotional when I hear about and see a lot of my friends and acquaintances getting to spend good quality time with their significant others on a regular basis (Facebook is a huge culprit). Heck, I even get sad seeing strangers holding hands sometimes. It makes me think about how Vishnu and I have had almost three years of distance, and how much I hate it. As soon as I let the sadness engulf me, it starts to morph into other emotions like jealously, anger, etc. And trust me, there’s nothing fun about being upset over a situation that you can’t really change [for the time being]. As of late, I’m trying to change my mindset by focusing on the positives of my relationship all on its own. And something my mom’s always said to me is that you really never know what someone’s going through or what their life is like unless you’ve truly experienced it for yourself. So, even though a couple may seem happy on the outside, that doesn’t mean that their lives are fairytale-like and perfect. We are all fighting our own battles in one way or another.
The second example has to do with blogging and the lives of other bloggers. Again, I think it’s so easy to read any number of blogs and start picking apart your meals, workouts, and life. As I start to feel those thoughts enter my mind, I am trying to make a concious effort to remind myself that not everyone is going to post about the meals gone wrong, the unproductive workouts, and the daily ebbs and flow of life. But it’s all there, even though we don’t always read about it. Take me for example, I try to remain as positive as possible on this blog, but trust me, I have days where I am sad, angry, frustrated, etc. It happens to everyone. So, just because I can’t run as fast as others; or I don’t have the flattest stomach ever; or I am not Ms. Blogger Extraordinaire with thousands of site hits per day, it’s OK because I am ME! See, we are all works in progress, and none of us is perfect, but that’s the beauty of it all – we’re all in it together!
By changing the focus to be more inward than outward, we can break apart the “trap.” Because in the end, all that matters and all you really have is YOUR body, YOUR mind, YOUR thoughts, and YOUR soul.
**********
Phew, that’s a lot of deep stuff…so, just as looks can be deceiving with people, they can be equally deceiving with food. Let’s take tonight’s dinner…at first glance it looks kinda yucky but really tastes amazing! I found an interesting twist to the traditional egg salad on Clean Eating magazine’s website. I’d been wanting to try it out for a while and finally got around to it today. Here’s a picture, so y’all know what I’m talking about…
Avocado Egg Salad
Adapted from this recipe
3 hardboiled eggs, coarsely chopped
1/2 avocado, mashed
1/4 of a small onion, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon mayonnaise (I know what some of you are thinking, but I used the kind with olive oil!)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Combine all of the ingredients from the avocado down and then fold in the eggs. Ta-da! That’s it! My dinner today was toast smeared with goat cheese topped with avocado egg salad . I assure you that this salad tastes great on its own as well! And again, it looks not so appetizing but its finger-licking good!
Well, I’m going to call it a night. But before I go, here are a few questions to think about…
Have you ever been or are you ever a victim of the comparison trap?
What foods do you make that look gross but taste delicious?
Love this post. I constantly find myself doing the same thing. At some point you have to balance out how much you want to know about other (good and bad). I just try to live my life for me on my on terms in the best way I know how. Miss ya doll!
I love it…”live my life on my terms…” Words to live by! Miss you too!
I absolutely fall victim to the comparison trap! I’m sorry you and Vishnu are far apart 🙁 Is there a time in the future you’ll be in the same place, or is it unknown at the moment? The “unknowns” in life drive me crazy!
Yeah, it’s not fun! But we see the light, so hopefully for not too much longer 🙂
Great post. I have many flaws but getting caught in comparison is the last thing I am guilty of. I have just as many bad days (more now than ever) but I’d rather stay quiet then talk about anything rough on the blog. Don’t bog yourself down with comparisons. Heck, we cannot judge a friends situation even after being friends with them, leave alone blogging. Blogging only shows the side of individual the blogger chooses to show you. You are a great blogger, Parita and I love reading your posts.
Thanks, Priyanka! Your comment means a lot to me!
Good post! I agree with all the comparisons out there. I feel like in a community like this one sometimes all the positivity can make you feel worse if you’re not in the same place instead of better. It’s definitely a Catch 22!
Lovely post! I do fall into the comparison trap in that there are so many bloggers than are runner or do yoga or some kind of workout that I don’t do. I base my workouts around weight training and it’s what I love so I try not to be like other bloggers and just be me! 😀
I seriously NEEDED to hear this tonight, I’m going through the blog comparison trap as we speak. It’s really hard. But, like you said, everyone has some problem in their life, some battle, some tough things that are going on. But we all have to just be ourselves!
Aww I didn’t know that you’re in a long distance relationship! That sounds like it must be so tough. I hope you two get to be together soon! 🙂
I definitely get sucked into the comparison trap too. But I just try to ignore it and focus on being ME!
What a timely post 😉
As for your long distance relationship, I can certainly understand as my hubby and I did that for about a year. But looking back, I really appreciated the “free time” to spend time with friends, focus on myself, and really appreciate the times we had together.
Great post! Everyone is different – though it was hard not to get sucked into comparisons. I have been working to keep that in mind lately myself.
It sounds like a really yummy recipe!!!! I get super self conscious when I compare myself to other bloggers… so much so that it gets me really down on myself – so I try very hard not to compare or try to fit a zillion molds and just be me! though its hard. you guys are so pretty and talented <3
Great post sunshine! It is hard not to get sucked in to comparisons, however if you are aware of it’s existence it will get better with times. Belive me as i have gone through with this trap in my life I’ve learned to flip the coin and see the other side of it. Like they said “There is always two sides of the coin” and that is the FACT!
I believe you because you are always right!!! Love you!
Great post! Blogs don’t paint the whole picture. Easier said than done but all that matters is being comfortable in YOUR skin and the choices YOU make.
Oats don’t photograph too well but we both know how delicious they are! Already excited about breakfast tomorrow!
i love canned tuna or chicken with guacamole and hummus!!! my take on tuna salad…sounds kinda funnny but it’s delicious!
xox
helterskelterworld.blogspot.com
I just made this for lunch and it was amazing! And as the above poster mentioned, very good for a student on a budget
I will be making this often! Thank you! (PS I hope you don’t mind if I put this on my blog as long as I credit you?)
Please do share on your blog 🙂
And I’m so glad you enjoyed it!