You've probably heard before, "Don't compare yourself to others." Alongside, several other quotes and sayings about comparing yourself and your life to other people.... but have you ever heard anyone tell you, "Don't compare yourself to yourself."? Me either! Typically, you hear folks say, "I am only in competition with myself to be better than I was the day before, to improve myself, and become a better version of myself." Which is great! Yes! We want to become better versions of ourselves, learn, and grow!
On the flip side, I believe it's important to keep in mind that as we go through things in life, the version of ourselves during those times may be different, and maybe not even in pursuit of a better version, and simply just trying to survive mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and maybe even physically.
Whether it be an illness, a life change, a separation or divorce, the pregnancy and labor of a child, the death of a family member... it is very hard to not compare the version of yourself walking through hardships to a version of yourself that was able to have the capacity for more... for more friendships, more activities, more family events, more chores, more of the things you did before.
As you go through these times, there has to be a grace period that you allow for yourself to recover, to rest, process, and work through hard times. It may not be a season for growth, and levelling up.
I hope that when you find yourself saying, "Well, I was able to do more 2 months ago, and this month I feel like I am struggling to get these normal things done." That you stop, and give yourself a great big hug, and tell yourself that you are doing enough, and that you don't always have to be striving for more, or being better than you were yesterday. Sometimes it's as simple as just getting through the day.
XOXO,
Mak