The highlight reel on social media makes falling into comparison easy. There is always pressure to strive for more and step into the next season. If it’s not dating, then it’s marriage. If it’s not marriage, then it’s parenthood. If it’s not the first baby, then it’s the second baby. If it’s not parenthood, then it’s home ownership. The wheel never stops, and it can leave women feeling like they are behind in life.
The hamster wheel of more and comparison can leave you discontent and feeling behind. Here are five tips for the woman who feels like she is behind in life.
Reframe Your Thinking
There’s no such thing as being ahead or behind in life. Someone having children or buying a home doesn’t mean that they are ahead in life. It simply means that they are on a different path than you. Take stock of the thoughts you are thinking. You are not late. You don’t need to catch up. Life is not a race. You will find freedom in reframing how you view the season of life you’re in.
Find Common Ground
When a friend steps into a new stage of life, they add more to the list of things that make them who they are. In order to connect with a friend in a different stage of life, find a place of common ground where you can connect.
Give it Time
Life is not a race. If you are struggling with feeling left behind in life, give yourself grace and space. Hang in there. Seasons of life are temporary, and the season you are in is where you are suppose to be. Lean into it and allow yourself time to grow. In time, you will step into new seasons.
Seek Friendships in a Similar Stage of Life
When your friends are moving into different stages of life, time with those friends will likely become more limited. This can easily make you feel like the odd woman out and like you are somehow behind in life.
Instead of playing the comparison game, seek friendships with people who are in similar life stages as you. This does not mean you have to replace those friendships, but you can seek additional friendships with people with similar lifestyles that breed the connection you crave. Finding people who are where you are and who are thriving will build your confidence.
Be Your Biggest Cheerleader
As the saying goes, the grass is not always greener on the other side. There’s goodness in the season you are in. If you are feeling behind, instead of beating yourself up, be your biggest cheerleader. Build yourself up and celebrate the season you’re in.