Comparison Paralysis in the Scroll Era — and How to Disarm It

Simon Sammut
Jul 24
2 min read

Two minutes of scrolling can undo hours of peace. Here’s why and how to stop the spiral.

If you spend just two minutes scrolling on social media platforms these days, you can easily convince yourself that you’re falling behind either on your fitness, your career, your travel or even your musical capabilities.

You see someone with perfect abs, another with a dream job, and yet another who seems to play their instrument with effortless mastery. It’s like the entire world is advancing while you’re standing still.

That sinking feeling I should be there by now feeling? That’s comparison paralysis—and the scroll is designed to trigger it.

The feeds we consume are not just showing life. They are curated, filtered, and often manipulated highlight reels. Which brings us to the Giacomo Turra saga.

When the Reel Isn’t Real

Turra, a guitarist who went viral for his stunning performances, later faced backlash for allegedly relying on editing tricks, borrowing others’ work, and over-polishing what was presented as live and authentic. For a while, he was the standard many aspiring players silently compared themselves to. Then the cracks showed, proving once again that not everything we scroll past is true.

And this doesn’t just happen in music. For anyone, the same illusion applies:

That traveller posting endless beach photos? They may have batched six months’ worth of content in one trip.

The entrepreneur “making six figures overnight”? You’re not seeing the years of struggle or the smoke and mirrors.
The fitness influencer flaunting their physique? It could be perfect lighting, filters, or even digital enhancement.

We’re often comparing our raw, unedited life to someone else’s staged moment.

Why It Freezes Us

Comparison isn’t always bad—it can sometimes motivate. But when the comparison is based on distorted realities, it overwhelms. Instead of inspiring action, it makes you freeze.

You scroll more. You doubt yourself more. You feel smaller.

How to Disarm It

Whether you’re a musician, a creative, or simply trying to stay sane online, here’s how to loosen comparison’s grip:

Name it when it happens. Pause and say: This is comparison, not truth.

Remember the Turra effect. You don’t know how many takes, edits, or embellishments lie behind that clip.

Curate your feed. Follow creators who share the messy, real process, not just the polished results.

Zoom out on time. Your career, health, or art has its timeline. Someone else’s pace isn’t your pace.

Shift from consuming to creating. Play one riff, record one idea, write one sentence. Creation beats endless scrolling.

Take one small step. Ten minutes of honest work, practice, learning, and movement gives more than ten minutes of envy.

Your Turn

Next time you catch yourself spiralling in the scroll, ask:

If I put this same energy into building my craft or my life, what would I create right now?

Then… go do that.

Because you’re not late. You’re not behind. And most of what you’re comparing yourself to? It’s not the whole story.

So tell me—how do you keep social media from making you feel “behind”? Do you have a way to stop comparison before it takes hold?

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Thanks for reading — and keep grooving,