There is deep comfort and uplift in having friends and family alongside us, exploring similar ground, sharing experiences, and offering advice. Yet, there are times when your own vision begins to blend with theirs, and you may wonder if you should match their footsteps just to keep up. Sometimes, others may notice your different paths and begin to compare. While this instinct is almost natural, it often becomes more demeaning than helpful if left unchecked.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
— Theodore Roosevelt
No two people respond to the same experience exactly the same way. Your mind and body carry your unique way of processing the world differently. What works for one person might not suit another. Their path was never meant for you, just as yours was never meant for them. Taking advice is wise. It can be eye-opening, but not every suggestion needs to be adopted. Forcing yourself into someone else’s shape only makes you feel heavier, not lighter. Discomfort doesn’t always mean you need to adjust; sometimes it’s your integrity resisting a sense of self-betrayal.
There is always an inner compass quietly guiding us. It whispers through feelings of discomfort and through moments of ease. The work of self-realisation is to listen closely and learn its language: Which steps feel natural? Which ones jar? Your true path emanates from this inner self; it is not something anyone can give you. As you learn to listen, you begin to discern, to choose, to grow, and to move at your own pace. The noise of the world begins to fade, leaving a clearer sense of who you are and where you’re heading. This trust in yourself deepens over time, and with it, a profound awareness.
If you are walking a path that has heart, it is a good path.
If you lose the heart of your path, it is of no use to anyone.
You can still share your path with those who care and want to grow alongside you, all while holding respect as sacred. This respect means honouring both your journey and theirs. When you encounter comparison or mirroring from others, it does not mean you must change or hold yourself back. See it instead as a reminder that not all journeys are interchangeable. Mutual respect can build a bridge between different paths, but you must first anchor that respect within yourself. You honour your own path by staying true to it. Ultimately, no two people need to be the same to both flourish deeply.
If your inner compass nodded in agreement, let me know with a comment or subscribe for more ♡