Time to stop mourning the person you used to be

Dr Becky Howie recognises that there is a natural tendency to compare ourselves to what we were like when younger. Here she provides some strategies from positive psychology, which reflect biblical wisdom, to help combat comparison culture and maintain a healthy mindset

Recently, I completed a 10K race, and the training resulted in me reflecting on my mindset. There was once a time when I ran frequently, completing marathons and other races. Back then, a 10K felt easy. However, after an ankle injury, I ended up moving away from running for several years. In the weeks leading up to this latest race, I found myself comparing my current abilities to my past abilities. I became aware that I used to be so much fitter, faster and recovered more quickly. It made me realise that returning to something, especially something that used to be easy, can be more challenging than starting afresh. It’s a common struggle to measure our current selves against our past accomplishments. As humans, we have a tendency to compare ourselves not only to others but also to the younger version of ourselves. This issue is exacerbated by social media, which constantly encourages comparison. Our feeds are often filled with images of the ideal body, house, relationship or family that we aspire to have, and bring up reminders of our days gone by.