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SBU | Life

Comparison Is The Killer Of Joy

Rebecca Schneider Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I often compare myself to others, and when they say “comparison is the killer of joy,” they mean it. I love my life, my friends, my family, and my soon-to-be career. But I can’t help thinking about how different my life could be when I compare myself to others. My fig tree of life grows a new branch just about every week as I think about my future. 

As I spend a few days in New York City, I can’t help but think what my life would be like if I lived and worked here.  I would work in advertising, spend my time off at Equinox, walk my dogs in Central Park, and get my groceries from a local shop. Sounds like a dream, right? Maybe, but I actually never want to live in New York City, and I kinda hate it here. I think the city is too messy, loud, unsafe, and just all around confusing. 

Other times I want to live in the middle of nowhere on a farm with chickens, lots of dogs, a garden, and I spend my days making baked goods. I have lived the quiet life for my entire life so far, and I don’t know if I want it to continue. I want something different. Sometimes I think I should stay in my hometown and live a life close to what I already know. I would still work in communications, I would raise a family here, and everything would be so familiar.

I can not necessarily explain why I am so unsure about my future now, yet five years ago, I was so sure. I guess Taylor Swift was right, you can really know everything at 18 but nothing at 22. 

Because I compare myself to others, I think of what my life would be like if I were in their shoes. It’s not entirely bad to think about the different directions in which my life could go, I mean, I am only 22, and I would hope I don’t have my whole life planned out. What’s bad is that I only dream of these different lives because I see other people live these lives and be content. But I should be content with what I want, not what I think I want based on other people. 

On a positive note, I am keeping my options open. I am not high-strung on one career path or one life plan. I am excited to see where my life goes and what path I choose, and hopefully it’s a path I create without the influence of others. 

Rebecca Schneider

SBU '25

Rebecca is a senior communication, social justice & advocacy major at SBU. This is her second year writing for Her Campus. This year, Rebecca is looking forward getting to know all the new members. She is excited to write about pop culture, books, trends and just her life overall.

Besides Her Campus, Rebecca is the senior leader for the Campus Conservationists club and the social media manager for Jandoli Women in Communications club. She has had the opportunity to have an on-campus internship in the department of university advancement and write for TAP into Greater Olean, an online news source for the St. Bonaventure area.

During her free time, Rebecca enjoys reading, going to the gym and being outside. Rebecca also loves music and will always engage in a conversation about Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams or Noah Kahan.