These days, teen girls are under relentless pressure to measure up to peers and social media influencers. The expectations feel impossible to meet.
Today, I’m partnering with my friends Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin to share a conversation about this important topic. Lee and Shannon are authors and speakers who have teamed up to write a book, Comparison Girl for Teens, that gives help and hope to moms and daughters navigating this challenge. We’re exploring what teen girls need to break free of the comparison trap and how moms can come alongside our daughters to encourage and affirm them.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How comparison follows us through every stage of life
- Navigating the way social media increases our tendency to compare
- How learning to live “me free” increases our peace
- And more!
I hope you find this conversation as encouraging as I did!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Is Comparison Robbing You Of Contentment? with Shannon Popkin | Episode 12
- ComparisonGirl.com for quizzes, conversation starters, and more!
- Connect with Shannon and find her books on her shannonpopkin.com
- Connect with Lee and find her books at leenienhuis.com
- The Social Dilemma
- As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks.
My Key Takeaways:
1) Comparison struggles can go undetected because the influence is subtle. Comparison is a strategy the enemy uses to go after us with subtle messages that can make us feel ashamed when we don’t measure up. There is pressure in society to push and try harder to “be the best” and secure our spot at the top. This can resonate with each of us, regardless of our age! However, Jesus never says anything about proving yourself or measuring up. Jesus values an upside-down way of living. We must not cave in to the mindset of living and thinking the way the world does.
2) Where we focus our mind affects our experiences. We want to help teen girls move their minds from the world’s messages to the messages and values of God (Romans 8:5-6). A comparison mindset causes joy and peace to diminish and anxiety to increase. When you become free of comparison, you are free to live a life focused on others and less on yourself. We each have a chance to use what God has uniquely given us to become more like Jesus and serve others.
3) Jesus invites us to humility. Comparison doesn’t just stop with ourselves, but can and does affect our view of others as well. In a comparison mindset, we can view ourselves poorly, but we can also view others poorly. It’s important to walk in both grace and truth regarding what Scripture says is true about ourselves and others.
About Lee & Shannon:
Lee Nienhuis and her husband, Mike, have four great kids and live in West Michigan. Lee is an author, speaker, and passionate Bible teacher whose love for the Lord and the Word is contagious. Lee serves as a Communications Specialist, ministry coach, and consultant for many churches and non-profit organizations.
Shannon Popkin is married to Ken and they live in West Michigan with their three kids and two dogs. As an author and speaker, Shannon loves combining her gifts for humor and storytelling with her passion for Jesus and the truth of God’s Word. She speaks for ladies’ events, retreats, and conferences. She also hosts the Live Like It’s True Podcast.
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