What are upward comparisons?

Upward comparisons are when you look at someone who is better than you in some way and feel inspired or motivated to be like them.

Imagine you're playing with your toys, and you see your friend Lila building a super tall tower with her blocks. You think, "Wow, Lila’s tower is so much taller than mine!" That feeling of wanting to build a taller tower too, that's an upward comparison!

When we compare ourselves to someone who seems better, it can make us feel excited or a little bit challenged. It's like when you see your older sibling riding their bike really fast, and suddenly you want to ride faster too!

Sometimes it makes us feel a tiny bit nervous, "Maybe I'm not as good as Lila," you might think, but that’s okay. That feeling can actually help you work harder or try something new.

So next time you see someone doing something amazing, remember: that's an upward comparison helping you grow!