How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Bloggers

Last updated on December 28th, 2022 at 10:10 am

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Ah, the trap that we all fall into sometimes – comparing yourself to other bloggers.

This topic could fall under the lifestyle or blogging category but I chose the blogging category because I just wrote a lifestyle post last week.

Since I’ve been in home quarantine for the past few weeks, I haven’t been in the best mood.

First off, there was dealing with writer’s block. Then it was feeling lost in life and having no motivation.

The most recent one is comparing yourself to other bloggers.

Comparing myself to others come in flashes but this time, there’s a good reason for it.

I am currently spending a lot of time promoting my blog.

There’s always going to be a lot of emphasis on SEO and I will continue to write SEO-friendly articles.

But it’s not the only way I rely on to get steady traffic. I’ve been focusing a lot of time and energy on Facebook (I use Pinterest as well but it’s been mostly Facebook recently).  

Spending Time on Facebook Groups

I am a member of several blogger Facebook groups.

A lot of these groups have a daily thread where they encourage fellow bloggers to share a blog post, promote your Instagram, Twitter, Freebie, etc.

This is a great opportunity to grab onto to market your blog. However, these threads are limited. Not all Facebook groups have them so you want to look for other ways to share your blog.

As you scroll through your Facebook homepage, you’ll notice bloggers sharing their accomplishments.

For example, a blogger might say that she has been getting 100K visitors on their website every day.

Or you hear about these stories where someone went from zero to being a full-time blogger in under a year.

When you see the first one, you might be able to shrug it off. There are always going to be some successful people in a group.

But if you’re like me and starting to spend time on Facebook every day, it’s going to feel like you’ll see too many of these.

Then, you’ll feel discouraged. You see these successful bloggers left and right and it’s a daily reminder in your face that you’re not nearly as close to where they are with their blogs.

The comparison trap has arrived.

When you do find yourself drowning deeper into the rabbit hole, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1) Focus on Your Wins (Even If They Seem Small)

There’s a reason why you started to blog. Think about what the reason was.

• Was blogging something you’ve always wanted to try?
• Are you trying to make extra income on the side?
• Is your blog a way of documenting your life?

Whatever your reason is, remind yourself of the purpose.

Constantly remind yourself why this all started in the first place, especially during the times when you see other bloggers do what seems to be unachievable.

While a part of you might even be happy for them, don’t spend too much time comparing yourself to other people’s accomplishments. Think about your own.

You have your fair share of accomplishments too and you totally deserve to celebrate your success.

In life, we spend so much time trying to check off something on our to-do list and focusing on the next thing that it’s easy to brush off past accomplishments.

Look back on your progress from when you were a new blogger. You’ve learned so much in the past few months or even years.

Remember your wins and think about them when you feel like you’re comparing yourself to other bloggers. It will keep you afloat when you feel like you can’t keep going on anymore.

2) You are Different from Other Bloggers

Everyone has a different blogging journey. What you’re going through is your own unique path.

You might be envious of how someone’s blogging journey seems so smooth compared to yours.

There is probably a handful of bloggers where their posts went viral. Getting immediate attention from thousands of people.

But honestly? What are the chances of that happening?

Blogging is tough work. It’s something I have learned to accept. You’re probably not going to be an overnight sensation.

Most bloggers hustle to get to where they are today.

You don’t know how much work bloggers put into their blogs behind the scenes. We often focus so much on people’s spotlights that we don’t see what it took to get there.

You might see a blogger talk about getting a certain number of page views per day. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll realize that the same blogger spends 30+ hours a week on their blog.

Are you doing the same? Because I honestly can say I do not. At least not currently.

How can you compare yourself to other bloggers when you’re not at equal standing?

Also, there might be many bloggers doing better than you but there are also tons of people that aren’t where you are yet. Everyone does feel some pressure to compare themselves but you have to learn how to snap out of it.

So what if you’re not where you want to be right now? You’re working hard towards your future.

You might be tempted to put yourself down after being discouraged but remind yourself that everyone has a different journey.

You are making progress. Even if it’s small steps.

3) Spend Less Time on Social Media

This is relatively easy for me since I spent several years going almost completely offline.

Staying off social media has its share of benefits.

Social media is addicting but when you need these platforms to achieve your blogging goals, it’s easy to get wrapped up in that world.

Allow yourself to be on social media for a certain amount of time so that you’re not scrolling mindlessly for hours.

This way, you are less likely to fall into the comparison trap.

Even though rationally, you might understand that everyone’s journey is different and to focus on your wins, emotions can still take over.

When you feel those comparing yourself to other bloggers feeling bubbling up, it’s best to retreat and spend less time on social media.

If you’re like me and trying to promote your blog, staying off social media seems nearly impossible but cut back what you can.

For example, if you’re spending at least 2 hours on social media every day, try to target only one hour a day.

Force yourself to get what you need to get done during your time on Facebook and then stop. If you want to promote your blog on Facebook, look for the daily threads and then log out of the website.

Use this free daily planner to help you out.

This is going to take willpower but for some reason, I do find Facebook less addicting than Instagram. 

On those days when you’re feeling really down, consider skipping social media completely.

It does mean that I’m not actively promoting my blog for maybe a few days but it’s absolutely necessary for my mental health.

You can always promote your blog later. No need to destroy your mental health over it.

4) Reframe Your Thinking

Look up to the people you consider successful bloggers.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, tell yourself you can ALSO be like them.

At one point, they also started with nothing. It’s through their hard work, perseverance, and consistency that they can reach the top.

Blogging might have been their starting point. A lot of bloggers make income through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and selling their own products.

But for some people, this might not be the final destination. They branch out to writing their own books and do some other cool stuff.

The opportunities are endless. Looking at successful bloggers can also be a source of inspiration as long as you don’t dwell too much time on it.

There’s room for everyone. Your blog can contribute something to the community that others can’t.

5) Distract Yourself

When you stay home a lot, you start living in your head.

Reflection is important but spending so much time in your head is no good either. It leads to overthinking.

For example, you might find yourself starting to nitpick everything about your blog or think of some potential reasons why you do not measure up to other bloggers.

• Is my blog theme not professional-looking enough?
• Am I not creating enough free printables?
• Are my blog posts too short?

Even something minor that might not be important, you’ll start to question if there’s a reason why you’re not reaching success yet.

Distract yourself by doing something else. It’s best to do something productive but it can even be going out for a walk or doing some online shopping on Vestiaire Collective.

Final Thoughts – Comparing Yourself to Other Bloggers

Comparing yourself to other bloggers only takes time away from working on your blog and doing your own thing.

It’s almost impossible to block out all noise but when you find your mind wandering off, reel yourself in. Don’t spend time overanalyzing everything.

Instead, focus on your accomplishments and remind yourself that you are on your own journey.

It’s easy to say but hard to do: try not to let these self-doubts in.

Now to You – Comparing Yourself to Other Bloggers

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Xoxo,
Nicole