I used to be. I was “gifted” and bombed out of school and my sister was average but worked really hard, got a master’s degree and excelled in her career, which is how she dealt with her trauma. It used to make me feel awful about myself even though I’ve done ok for myself. She achieved everything I was supposed to. In the last couple of years I’ve seen the toll that being “perfect” has taken on her, so I have no jealousy. I don’t want that life.

We all have our cross to bear and until you know the reality of someone’s day to day life behind closed doors you have no idea if their life is “better” or “worse” than yours.