The author (left), is happy for the life that her younger sister has built, but is sometimes envious that her own path looks different.
Courtesy of Alyssa Wiens.
I'm a single 30-something renting in a community house in central Vancouver, where I can enjoy everything the city offers. I work a flexible freelance schedule, and fill my time with friends, new hobbies, and traveling.In so many ways, I truly love my life. I know I'm lucky.But I'm also ready to find a partner and start building a life together.This dream sometimes feels far away, especially when I start comparing myself to other people, like my sister, who is married, has recently bought a house, and is pregnant with her second child. She's one of my best friends, and I am genuinely thrilled for her. But I still feel jealous at times.I struggle with comparison sometimesMy sister and I have always been close and see each other weekly. Having her, my brother-in-law, and nephew is a privilege, and I'm genuinely so happy for them.Sometimes, when I compare our lives, jealousy creeps in. I look at her beautiful family and think, "Why can't I have that?" It's hard to admit this; I sometimes feel guilty that I can't just "be happy for her."I think it's common to fall into this comparison trap. When looking at other people's lives, it's easy to see where I'm "behind" in terms of career, family status, income, house, or other areas. It's particularly hard when cultural or societal standards dictate where I "should" be in my thirties, even if it's an outdated expectation.
