To say you never compare yourself to others would be a lie; everyone has done this at some point. However, entering a secret competition with a random person would be considered counterproductive. You’re both going to end up at the same finish line. Death.

The only thing guaranteed in this life is death, and that in itself gives me clarity because it means, until I get to that part, the world is my oyster, and I can do whatever I want.

When you sit down and really think about it, as cliché as it may sound, you can do whatever you want because;

• You’re an adult
• No one is going to beat you

As long as you’re not harming yourself or others, the world is your oyster. Outside of societal and economic issues that you can’t control, the only person who can control the trajectory of your life is you, sitting and wasting it away with comparison is what makes your heart ”sick”, I’ve done it before, more times than I’d like to admit and it always ends up in me coming back to myself because no one in life compares to the past me.

You have to get to a point where you realise that you have one life, say you’re 28 like me, that means I have 54 summers left before I turn 80, by then I’ll be old. I might not want to ”turn up with my girls” so enjoy your life, enjoy your youth in whatever way makes you happy. For example, I am obsessed with planes, especially the Airbus A380. Nerdy, I know, and some have given me odd looks; some find it a little weird, but did I ever care? No! In fact, I am hoping to make it to the next airshow, and it makes me happy.

There’s a lot we can learn from others; even triggers like comparison can be used to look inward. Why do you feel discomfort? Why do you feel a sense of anxiety? Why do you think you’re a little jealous? These are our bodies’ way of telling us what our deepest desires are. It doesn’t always have to carry negative connotations.

The finish line is death. Until then, do what brings you true fulfilment and happiness because no one spends more time with you than you. Live authentically and gleefully.