Trying not to compare versions of myself

[HernanBrooke]

Lately I catch myself comparing who I am now with the version of me I think I “should” be by now. More confident, more settled, more sure of things. And I know comparison doesn’t help, but the thoughts pop up anyway.
I don’t feel stuck exactly, just slightly misaligned. Like I’m a few degrees off centre and trying to gently steer myself back without overcorrecting.
Some days I get a glimpse of that alignment and it gives me hope. Other days I just… coast. And maybe that’s alright for now.

Is this a personal feeling, wishing you were more confident, resilient etc or is are you wanting change, a new job, a move a relationship?

Everyone does this (I think) reflect on decisions we’ve made then unsure if we made the right one… that’s just human nature.

I think a lot of us walk around with an imaginary “by now” version in our heads and quietly measure ourselves against it. Being a few degrees off centre doesn’t mean you’re lost, just adjusting. And honestly, coasting on some days feels like part of the process rather than a failure.

This really resonated with me. I think a lot of us carry around this imagined version of ourselves and quietly measure everything against it even when life has gone in a completely different direction. It can feel uncomfortable rather than dramatic like you say just slightly off centre.
I like how you put it about not wanting to overcorrect. Sometimes coasting is actually part of finding your balance again especially when you are still learning what you want now not what you thought you would want years ago. Those glimpses of alignment matter though. I try to remind myself they mean I am heading somewhere even if it is slower and messier than I expected.

This really resonated with me. I think a lot of us carry around this imagined “finished version” of ourselves and quietly measure against it, even when life hasn’t actually gone wrong.
I like how you put it — a few degrees off rather than completely lost. That feels much more realistic than the usual “find your purpose” noise online. And honestly, coasting sometimes is probably just resting, even if it doesn’t feel very glamorous.