Do You Think Other People Are Better Than You?
Why you feel this way and what to do about it
Oftentimes, thoughts like I feel like everyone is better than me and I’m not as good as everyone else are unlikely to be true (read: are almost never true). But that doesn’t make the feelings any less real! If you feel this way, you may struggle with a lack of self-esteem, and we're here to help. We’ve spoken to Marriage & Family Therapist Moshe Ratson and licensed clinical psychologist Kim Chronister for expert tips on overcoming the feeling that other people are better than you, building your confidence, and improving your life.
If you feel like others are better than you, you may be struggling with self-esteem. These feelings can arise because of childhood experiences, social expectations, and many other factors. Try making a list of your strengths, mute triggering people on social media, and set realistic goals to improve your life.
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Many people need guidance from a mental health professional to improve their mental health and make the progress they want to achieve. Finding a therapist or a counselor can provide you with a safe, judgment-free space where you’ll learn tools to improve your self-esteem and lifestyle.[10]
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You may have developed self-esteem struggles if your childhood was traumatic or if you were belittled and unkindly compared to others. Instead of learning to be independent and self-sufficient as an adult, you may have been unfairly conditioned by parents, peers, and other crucial influences to not believe in yourself—when, in fact, this behavior probably said a lot more about the other person’s flaws than your own.[17]
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