Do you think it's okay to compare yourself with others?

There isn't a person I haven't compared myself to. Not even the fictional characters. I compare myself to almost everyone I come across, regardless of age. In a sense to find the similarities and differences between myself and them, both physically and mentally.

People say, "Look in the mirror...that's your competition."

Though I don't completely dissent from this view, I do think competing with others is as important as competing with our past self. If there is no comparison, there is no competition. Without comparing myself to others I wouldn't know where I stand today. You need comparison in life to drive you more, to push yourself one step ahead and to upgrade yourself to higher levels.

Yet the only satisfaction I get in comparison is when I do it with myself. If I'm better than yesterday, I feel proud; if not, I feel the need to strive for better. Either way, I believe self-comparison is fine and doesn't harm you in any way.

 I came to later realize that, I, as a person, unintentionally, unconditionally compare myself to others from time to time. But each time I compare, I also see myself getting mired in the dissatisfaction of have-nots rather than getting motivated. We don't compare ourselves to others when we have what others have. It's when we don't that we generally do.

The adventures they get to experience which I don't. The luxuries they enjoy which I can't afford to. The opportunities they get which I can only dream about. These differences stir a jealousy within myself, thus making me feel inferior. This further leads to insecurity which, in turn, makes me lose my individuality. Learning from others may help, but not at the cost of losing my original-self. The goal of comparison is to raise the bar, not to create a replica.  It's not about being the best of all, it's about being the best of oneself.

That doesn't mean I shouldn't compare myself to others right?. Or should I?.

To be honest, I have not the foggiest idea of it.

Although the differences are what I can see the most when comparing, the similarities, even if few, reassure me that others too are ordinary, just like how I am. And the feeling of familiarity it grants when I find a common flaw brings that person one step closer to me which reminds me of one sure thing: If they can do, I can do too.

When I need confidence, I think of those who look up to me. When I need a quick reality-check, I compare myself to the people I look up to. Upward-comparison lets me know how much I lack, whereas downward-comparison lets me know of my own good fortune.

As long as I measure only my progress with others and not my values, comparisons with others are not all bad, I deem.