Comparison can kill your creativity. It can stop your writing in its tracks. When the comparison bug hits, you feel small, deflated, uncomfortable and uninspired.
Comparison makes you doubt your ability, your message and all that you originally felt driven and inspired by.
Comparison can make us play small. So let’s change that…
Moments of comparison can hit quickly and without warning.
Maybe you are innocently hanging out online and find someone writing about the same thing you are. Or maybe you go to a blog for inspiration but quickly think about how shiny and perfect their site is in comparison to yours.
When comparison strikes, it can feel like a punch to your gut.
You feel yourself contract; you feel your heart beat faster. It makes you feel deflated and want to put the pen down.
In these times, we are put at a crossroads: Get stuck in the negative experience of comparison; or find a way to create anyways and turn the negative feelings into creative fuel.
It’s imperative that you take the road of creating anyways.
You need to find ways to keep writing because your writing matters. It matters to you, to your readers and to the collective consciousness of the world.
I have been caught in the comparison trap many times, and have stood at the cross roads of going forward or putting my pen down.
However, I have found that the more we consciously move through these feelings, the stronger we stand as writers and in ourselves. Our work comes together in impactful and beautiful ways.
Here are four ways to turn comparison into creative fuel:
1. Reframe Your Thinking
Comparison is a frame of mind. Luckily, you have the power to change your thinking.
It is incredibly helpful to think about comparison as a mirror to the possibilities that are lying dormant within you. When you are comparing yourself to others, doubting your work and ability, notice what it is you admire in the other.
Get clear and specific.
These qualities and accomplishments are all possibilities for you. The only difference is that you have not fully stepped into these possibilities for yourself.
This is your potential. Comparison can be a gift of consciousness, which illuminates what is possible for you.
2. Write Through Discomfort
When in a comparison trap, write.
As a writer, you are given the call to write. Because of this, trust. Trust in the journey. Trust in the writing practice to guide you through challenging feelings.
The act of writing can constellate creativity, inspiration and joy. It heals and helps us think through challenges.
Journal or do some creative writing about what you are feeling and what is coming up for you.
When you write through comparison, rather than being paralyzed by it, you will gain insight, courage and motivation to keep going.
3. Notice Patterns
There are often patterns that act as a through line between who and what you compare yourself to.
Notice these patterns. Use them as information.
By being aware of the themes and patterns that trigger you, you gain power over how you can react.
With clarity, you can anticipate comparison hitting, pause and say to yourself, “okay, I’ve been through this before. I am going to keep writing anyways and trust the comparison is mirroring what I am capable of.”
The more aware you are, the more empowered you become.
4. Share Your Work
This might feel counter intuitive when in a comparison rut, but when you share your work, whether it be on a blog, social media, or with a friend, you take back ownership of your writing and your muse rewards you.
Sharing helps breathe new life into your project and it builds confidence. (Click to Tweet)
When we share, ideas flow and clarity comes.
By taking expansive action by sharing, rather than constrictive action by stopping, you will build your confidence muscles, find your motivation and come across new and creative ways of going forward with your work.
Since we’re talking about sharing, how about sharing your latest work below in the comments? I look forward to seeing what you’re working on.
Comparison can be a killer to your creativity and confidence, but it doesn’t have to be.
Remember that you are being called to write for a reason. Comparison is part of a larger creative process.
The more you write through challenging feelings, and put your work into the world, the more empowered you become.
Trust the process, trust the challenging emotions that are coming up as ones to learn and grow from.
Keep writing. Keep creating. Know that confidence and comparison are two sides of the same coin.
When feeling down or deflated, feeling empowered and creatively alive is just around the corner. Keep going. You will emerge feeling more inspired, creative and solid.
You’re awesome! Know that.
Don’t’ forget to share your latest project in the comments.
