How to avoid ‘holiday comparison’ this summer

Published on 27th November, 2024 at 06:27 pm

Anyone can fall into the ‘comparison’ trap, especially over the summer when everyone you know seems to be having a better festive season than you, according to their Instagram feed. Here’s how to avoid it so you can live in the moment, make new memories, and enjoy your summer.

Reading time: 3 minutes

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Too much time spent on social media can make you compare your life with others
• There are ways to curb your usage and make it more intentional and positive
• The importance of living in the moment so you can make happy holiday memories

We know that too much time spent scrolling through social media can impact mental health and your self-esteem in negative ways. This is because it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, especially when you see friends, family, or even influencers living their (seemingly) best lives. Over the holidays, this can be increased as we see people enjoying the beaches and parties synonymous with the festive season.

No, this doesn’t mean you need to switch off your phone until autumn! You should, however, be more intentional with your time spent online. This is something that Maryke Swarts, Transformation and Neuro-Coach at Life Purpose Coaching, recommends. ‘It’s not just the time you spend scrolling but the platforms you engage with that can make all the difference,’ she says. ‘This can go a long way in preventing self-judgment when you should be enjoying your time off.’

How to step away from the algorithm

There are several ways to help yourself avoid reaching for your phone and mindlessly opening your feed, even if it has become habitual. ‘Make small changes to limit accessibility,’ suggests Swarts. ‘These include:

1. Moving frequently used apps off your home screen to a folder
2. Turning off your app notifications or switching to silent mode
3. Having dedicated time for checking social media

‘With these practices, you can shift from passive social media use to a more intentional, empowering online experience and guard yourself against comparison. By setting your own boundaries, you can reclaim precious time and give yourself space to live in the moment.’

Curating your best feed

Without having to stay off social media over the holiday period, how can you avoid comparing your summer to the ones you see playing out online? There are some practical steps you can take, such as:

1. Muting certain people’s posts or accounts on Instagram or TikTok that you think might be triggering and filling your itinerary in such a way that it leaves little time (or boredom) for constant scrolling.

2. Making your mental health a priority and living in the present. ‘Choose to be in the moment. While there is nothing wrong with taking photos and videos for you to remember your holiday, there is no rule that dictates that you have to post them straight away – or at all!’, she says.

Remember! What you see online often isn’t an accurate representation of other people’s lives. Many of whom are also trying to impress. This way, you can create wholesome memories that aren’t overshadowed by what everyone else is doing and have your best holiday yet.