Is it possible to avoid comparing oneself to others? "They" always say not to but do you find yourself seeing what everyone around you is creating and wondering, with a mix of pride in their accomplishments and a tiny twinge of jealousy, where you fit in? In this age of constant updates it's hard to avoid the comparisons. As I continue to adjust to a place where what one "does" is not nearly as important as who one is (but I've already covered that here) I can't help but keep trying to prove my worth. I fit in here - I am an artist, I'm broke, I don't work enough - and that's all perfectly acceptable and normal. Is it also normal to keep wanting to say, "But I used to be successful. I used to live the fabulous life and make money and travel and show my work and eat at fancy restaurants and live in New York"? Normal or not, I've got to drop it because it's getting old and even I keep thinking, "Yes, but what have you done for me lately (besides protesting neo-nazis, playing ping pong, watching movies outside, dancing to strange music, living in the park, cooking with no directions, listening to authors I can't understand, seeing art, thinking about art, making art, meeting strangers, riding my dear bicycle and learning German)?"