27 May 2021

From the time you finish school, you’re in control of what you do next. People are getting full-time jobs, going straight into uni, getting married, living at home with their parents, moving out of home, buying their first car, buying a house, travelling from country to country, finishing apprenticeships, racking up certificates - literally everyone is doing things differently and at a different stage in their life.

I always got the good ol’, “why can’t you be more like your sister?” from my parents growing up (not traumatic at all). This definitely stuck with me, especially as I got older. I got used to comparing myself to my sister and others' success - and while it was sometimes a driving factor for myself to do better, it was doing more bad than good.

 

You could look at others and endlessly dabble on the idea that they’ve got more money than you, they look happier, they have more degrees than you, they own more assets than you but you’re never going to get anywhere in your life if you get yourself stuck in this rut and mindset.

Instead, why not water your own grass? Invest in yourself. Reflect on yourself. Accept where you are and do better. Be the person that people want to be. Set that tone for yourself. Know that your journey doesn’t just end here. Compare yourself to only you - be a better you than yesterday and understand that nobody is perfect (Hannah Montana, come through).

If you’re struggling with this, just know that the stigma behind asking for help is done and dusted. Talk to your friends or a loved one. Listen to those empowering podcasts. Practice self-care. Take those extra steps to ensure you’re in the best mindset to move forward with yourself.

This may sound like one of those things that is easier said than done but you’re the only person mapping out your journey; you’re the leader of your success. You’re the only person that can influence your achievements, so just freaking go for it.