382. Why You Can’t Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

382. Why You Can’t Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

From Relationships Made Easy by Dr. Abby Medcalf

May 11, 2026 · 36 min · Season 8 · Episode 382

About this episode

This episode explores why comparing yourself to others is a cognitive function that cannot be simply stopped and offers insights on how to manage it effectively.

You’ve tried unfollowing people, making gratitude lists, staying in your own lane. And you still compare yourself to others. So what gives? You can’t stop comparing because you were never supposed to, and comparison isn’t a bad habit you can decide to quit. It’s a cognitive function, and you can’t opt out of cognitive functions. Every piece of advice that tells you to just stop is working against your own brain, which is exactly why it never sticks. Today you’ll learn why comparison is hardwired into you, why the standard advice fails, why some people get pulled into it more painfully than others, and the specific shifts that actually make a difference. ____________________________ Full blog and show notes: https://abbymedcalf.com/why-you-cant-stop-comparing-yourself-to-others Download the What Is This Comparison Really Telling You? Worksheet that walks you through identifying your own comparison triggers, what they’re actually pointing at, and how to redirect when the spiral starts: https://abbymedcalf.com/what-is-this-comparison Join my online community, One Love Collective, on Substack: https://abbymedcalf.com/substack . You'll get... ✨ Early drops + ad-free podcast episodes ✨…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Abby Medcalf

Topics covered

  • comparison
  • cognitive function
  • self-improvement
  • mental health
  • personal development

Keywords

  • comparison
  • cognitive function
  • self-esteem
  • mental health
  • personal growth
  • gratitude
  • mindfulness

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