Quit the Comparison Game & Find Your Own Path: A Summer Reset for Busy Working Women

As summer rolls in this month, social media will begin to fill up with picture-perfect vacations, effortless beach bodies, and families who seem to have it all together. Meanwhile, you’re juggling work deadlines, kid drop-offs, and a never-ending to-do list—wondering why it all feels so hard when it looks so easy for everyone else.

Sound familiar?

Comparison sneaks in fast, leaving you feeling behind, overwhelmed, and like you’re not “doing enough.” But here’s the truth: the highlight reels you see online don’t tell the full story. And constantly measuring yourself against others is stealing the energy you need to build a life that actually feels good to you.

This summer, it’s time for a reset (if you can’t tell yet, I love resets!). Let’s talk about how to quit the comparison game and find your own path—one that aligns with your values, priorities, and what truly makes you happy.

Why Comparison Feels So Hard Right Now

Summer tends to amplify comparison because it disrupts our routines. Work might slow down or speed up unpredictably. Kids are home more, meaning extra responsibilities. And social media bombards us with unrealistic expectations—whether it’s the “ideal” summer body, the dream family vacation, or the mom who seems to have endless time for fun and relaxation.

When you’re already stretched thin, seeing others “thriving” can make you question if you’re doing enough, being enough, or even enjoying life enough. But here’s what you need to remember:

• You’re only seeing a filtered version of someone’s life.
• No one has it all figured out (even if it looks like they do).
• What works for them might not be what actually feels good for you.

How to Stop Comparing & Start Owning Your Own Path

Instead of letting comparison drain you, let’s shift the focus back to your journey. Here’s how:

Identify What Actually Matters to You

Pause and ask yourself: What do I actually want my summer (and life) to feel like? Maybe it’s slower mornings, more quality time with your kids, or finally making time for yourself. Get clear on what you want—not what social media or society tells you to want.

Try this:

• List three things that make you feel fulfilled (not what looks good on paper).
• Set a small goal for the summer based on those priorities—something realistic that fits your life.

Reframe Your Thinking Around Success

It’s easy to feel like you’re failing when you measure yourself against someone else’s progress. Instead of comparing, shift to personal benchmarks. What small win can you celebrate today?

Try this:

• Instead of saying, “She has it all together, and I don’t,” reframe it to, “I’m building a life that works for me, and that’s enough.”
• Track progress in a way that motivates you. Did you carve out 10 minutes for yourself today? That’s a win!

Limit the Triggers That Spark Comparison

If scrolling Instagram leaves you feeling “less than,” take a break or unfollow accounts that don’t make you feel good. Instead, surround yourself with inspiration that uplifts and motivates you.

Try this:

• Set a daily limit on social media use.
• Follow people who share real, encouraging content—not just perfection.

Create Your Own Summer Rituals

Comparison often makes us feel like we’re missing out. Flip the script by creating small, meaningful moments in your own life—ones that bring joy without pressure.

Try this:

• Pick a weekly self-care ritual that’s just for you (even if it’s 10 minutes of quiet with coffee).
• Plan a low-key summer activity that feels good—no extravagant trips required.

Give Yourself Permission to Do It Your Way

Your life doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be meaningful. The more you own your priorities and values, the less comparison will control you.

Try this:

• Write yourself a reminder: “I focus on what matters to me, not what the world says I should care about.”
• Keep it somewhere visible as a reminder when comparison creeps in.

Your Summer, Your Terms

This summer, let’s break free from the exhausting cycle of comparison. Instead of looking around at what everyone else is doing, look inward. Ask yourself: What makes me feel good? What do I want my life to look like?

And then, take one small step toward that vision. Not because it looks good to the outside world, but because it feels good to you.

With love,

Erin