Why Do People Compare Themselves to Others?

Why are humans so often caught in the cycle of comparing themselves to others, whether in wealth, success, looks, or lifestyle? Is comparison a natural part of social evolution, or is it fueled by modern social media? Why does comparison often lead to jealousy, insecurity, or unhappiness, even though logically it shouldn’t? Could comparison also motivate self-improvement, or does it mostly harm self-esteem? Is there a healthy way to compare without negativity? And if true happiness comes from within, why do we still constantly measure ourselves against others?