My change? No comparing myself to parents who post adorable back to school pictures on Facebook.
My sons just left for school for their first day. I was focused on their exterior comparing them and me to other parents who put adorable pictures on Facebook.
Mine weren't wearing cute outfits. My youngest was wearing a too-small shirt with a stain on it. He pulled it out of the pile I had set aside to take to Goodwill. When I called attention to it, he wouldn't change.
And we didn't get new lunch boxes. They carried their old, dingy ones.
The boys seemed charged with negative feelings: those uncertain, uncomfortable ones. They didn't even want their picture taken.
I want to stop comparing myself to other parents. I want to remember that many of those adorable back to school pictures on Facebook are carefully taken and chosen. And that the transition back to school is fun for some and a struggle for others. - a parent, Texas USA
I measure myself against my brothers. I want to change that.
I'm jealous of all the things they do. This is an old feeling. Ever since I was a child, I felt like I should be a boy and brother in this family instead of the only girl.
I'm not sure why I feel like this, but I think it's because my brothers got attention for their accomplishments, which they deserved and, either I didn't get enough attention or I cannot feel the attention I get. Maybe my jealous feeling is because I don't trust that it's okay for all of us to receive.
I want to be me. I want to celebrate my brothers when I hear about the good things they do rather than feel jealous.
I'll change by remembering that I want to change. The next time one of my brothers accomplishes something, I'll tell myself and him that I'm happy for him. The next time I do something well, I'll tell myself that I'm happy for me. - adult in a workshop, Florida
One positive change I would like to make in the future is to improve my self-image. I have a bad habit of comparing my achievements to others, which is detrimental to my overall mental health. I don't specifically have a plan in mind, but I hope as I grow older and experience life, I will be able to conquer my inner demons and love me for me, and not for my grades or achievements. I know there will be several obstacles, such as attending a highly competitive college, but if I could only achieve one thing in life, it would be to be less insecure about myself and my abilities. -high school student, Florida
