My Struggle with Comparison as a Remote Worker (And How I’m Healing)

LinkedIn or YouTube makes it feel like “I’m doing nothing” — a healing journey from quiet self-doubt to calm self-trust.

The Scroll That Shook My Confidence

It usually starts innocently. I open my laptop in the morning, intending to check emails or get into my task list. But I make the mistake of opening LinkedIn first.

“Excited to join Google as a Product Manager!”
“Just crossed $10K/month freelancing!”
“Spoke at an international conference!”

Post after post, win after win.

Meanwhile, I’m still sitting at home in my modest workspace, finishing client revisions or figuring out why my campaign didn’t convert last night.
And in a quiet corner of my mind, a tiny voice whispers:
“You’re behind. Everyone else is moving faster than you.”

When Everyone’s Highlight Reel Becomes Your Measuring Stick

One of the beautiful yet brutal things about remote work is — it’s quiet. There’s no team buzzing next to you. No manager checking in face-to-face. Just you, your thoughts, and your Wi-Fi.

And in that silence, comparison grows.

It’s easy to forget that what I see online isn’t the full story. People post polished moments, not their messy drafts or failed attempts.
But my brain doesn’t care. It takes their milestone and stacks it next to my reality.
And suddenly, my progress feels… small.

The Hidden Toll of Constant Comparison

I didn’t even realize how much it was affecting me at first. I was still working, still meeting deadlines — but mentally, I was shrinking.

Whenever I’d make something I was proud of, I’d immediately question:
→ “But is it impressive enough to post about?”
→ “Would this even matter compared to what others are doing?”
→ “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”

I started second-guessing my skills. I avoided talking about my wins because I felt they weren’t big enough.
I stopped creating freely.
Comparison wasn’t just stealing my joy — it was stealing my voice.

The Moment I Woke Up

One night, I stumbled upon a video that said something simple but powerful:
“Don’t compare your chapter 3 to someone else’s chapter 20.”

I paused the video and just sat there.
Because honestly, that’s exactly what I was doing.
I was comparing my early-stage experiments to people who had been in the game for years — people with teams, budgets, mentors, failures, and pivots behind their success.

No wonder I felt small.
I was holding myself to a standard built on someone else’s timeline.

How I’m Healing: One Shift at a Time

Comparison doesn’t just disappear. It creeps in silently, especially when you’re tired, vulnerable, or feeling stuck.
But I’ve slowly learned how to spot it — and gently shift my focus.

Here’s what’s been helping me:

1. Tracking My Own Progress (Not Just Goals)

I now keep a weekly log — nothing fancy, just a simple note of:

What I learned this week
What I created, even if unfinished
What I handled better than last time

This helps me see movement.
It may not be viral or flashy, but it’s mine — and it’s real.

2. Limiting Mindless Scrolls

I no longer start my day on LinkedIn or YouTube. I set a timer when I do check them — and I mute accounts that constantly make me feel “less.”

Instead, I follow creators who show their messy middles, who talk about the hard days and lessons learned.
That feels more human. More possible.

3. Re-centering on My “Why”

Whenever I feel the comparison trap pulling me in, I ask myself:

What kind of life do I want?
What am I building — and for whom?
Is this rush really mine, or something I absorbed?

These small questions bring me back to my path — not someone else’s.

4. Having Honest Conversations

I started opening up to a few close friends and fellow freelancers.
And guess what?
They felt the same.

They, too, doubted themselves when they saw others’ success online.
We all thought we were alone — until we spoke.

That connection helped me heal faster than any productivity hack.

It’s Okay to Feel This Way

If you’re reading this and quietly nodding along, please know — you’re not alone.

Comparison is a very human response, especially in a world where success is constantly streamed to our phones.

But just because someone else is winning doesn’t mean you’re losing.
Their success doesn’t cancel out your effort.
Your journey matters, even if it’s quiet right now.

Your Pace Is Perfect

I now remind myself often:
“My journey is not late. It’s unfolding.”

Success isn’t a race. And it sure isn’t about who posts it first.
Sometimes, the best things we build are the slowest to bloom.

So if you’re working from your little corner of the world, growing at your own rhythm, keep going.
You’re not behind.
You’re just becoming — and that’s beautiful.

Have you ever felt this way? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

🔗 Suggested Read:

→ [How I Handle Loneliness While Working Remotely (And You Can Too)]
A real look at how I built connection in the middle of isolation.