The Grass Isn’t Always Greener
Comparison is inevitable, but what if this summer we focused less on everyone else and more on actually enjoying ourselves?
BY GRACIE RAZNICK ★ JULY 6th, 2025
Photo Credit: Gracie Raznick
The grass is always greener on the other side. Whether it is the “perfect” body, coolest summer internship or most aesthetic Instagram feed, we all always look to others and question why it’s not us.
That is not to say we shouldn’t always be pushing ourselves to achieve and want better. I truly feel motivation and inspiration from peers. As a matter of fact, sometimes those around us are the best pushers for success. However, we simply can’t live in the mentality that everyone has it better — and that we ourselves are not enough.
I am not an expert on this topic, and TRUST me I struggle with this very feeling way more than I’d like to admit. But, here is a list of five ways I try to cope and ground myself when I feel like everyone else has it all figured out.
There will always be someone to compare yourself with
I always think to myself that the girls I feel have so much more going for them also feel the same way about other girls. Yes. Hard to believe, I know. Even those who appear to be the most “put together” encounter the same problems I do. So, try reversing the roles in your mind. It’s a never-ending cycle of comparison, and truthfully, everyone is a part of it.
2. Social media is a skewed perception of EVERYTHING
I know this one is hard to actually internalize — I wrestle with it all the time. We live in such a social media–driven world, where mindless scrolling has become second nature. I often think about the moments I choose to post: my favorite outfits; tropical vacations; nights out with friends; birthday celebrations; picture-perfect Syracuse game days; and my best meals. That’s just one corner of my life. I’m not posting photos of messy hair and sweatpants, bad grades or days when I’m struggling with body image. The same goes for everyone else. We’re only seeing a small, curated glimpse of people’s lives, so how can we compare our full realities to someone else’s highlight reel?
3. Focus on my personal wins
In a society where we’re constantly plugged into the lives of family, friends, peers and even strangers, it’s easy to lose sight of the most important story — our own. We often beat ourselves up, want ourselves to be doing more and quickly move past our little wins. We need to take time to appreciate and celebrate our big and little moments, just as much as we do everyone else’s.
4. Remember you are not living anybody else's life
Whatever internship, friendship, relationship, college or program is RIGHT for you will FIND you. Sometimes we don’t have exactly what others have because, truthfully, it’s not what is meant for us — and that’s more than okay. Imagine how dull the world would be if everyone’s accomplishments, strengths and social media profiles looked exactly the same. BORING.
5. Everyone is winging it
It can often feel like everyone else has it all figured out — but the truth is, nobody really does. We’re all navigating life for the first time, learning, growing and changing as we go. No one has it perfect, and everyone feels like they’re falling short in one area or another. It’s completely human.
So, take this as your reminder to be a little kinder to yourself. We are all doing the very best we can while navigating the complex feelings of comparison. And, that’s more than enough.