Comparison is the Thief of Joy: Why You Should Stop Comparing Your Handmade Business to Others

Focus on Your Unique Journey, Not Someone Else’s Success

As handmade sellers, it’s natural to admire others in the industry—whether it’s someone with a beautifully curated Instagram feed, a seller landing big wholesale deals, or a fellow maker who seems to have it all together. While admiration can be inspiring, constant comparison can steal your joy and hold you back from appreciating your own progress.

There will always be someone you admire, but here’s the key: do not compare. Your journey is unique, and comparison only leads to unnecessary self-doubt. Let’s talk about why focusing on your own path is the healthiest and most productive thing you can do for your business.

The Dangers of Comparison

When you compare yourself to other sellers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re not doing enough. Maybe someone else’s business seems to be growing faster, their social media looks more polished, or they’re getting opportunities you haven’t yet. But what you don’t see is the behind-the-scenes work, challenges, and obstacles they’re facing. We tend to compare our worst with their best, and that’s never a fair comparison.

Real-World Example: I remember looking at a fellow maker’s social media and feeling like I wasn’t doing enough with my own content. Her feed was beautiful, polished, and seemed to attract a ton of engagement. But I realized that comparing myself to her was only making me feel inadequate. Instead, I refocused on what I was doing well and set small goals for improving my social presence. My business and her business were on completely different journeys, and that’s okay.

Your Journey Is Yours Alone

Your handmade business is a reflection of your unique creativity, vision, and hard work. No two businesses are alike, and that’s what makes the handmade industry so special. Someone else’s success doesn’t diminish your own. In fact, there’s room for all of us to thrive.

Action Tip: When you catch yourself comparing, turn it into inspiration. Instead of feeling envious of what someone else is doing, ask yourself what you admire about their business and how you can implement positive changes without feeling like you need to match their success.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Remember, everyone’s path is different. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and growth looks different for every business. Instead of comparing yourself to someone else’s chapter 10, focus on your own chapter—on the progress you’ve made, the customers you’ve delighted, and the challenges you’ve overcome.

Real-World Example: There was a time when I felt like my business wasn’t growing fast enough compared to others in my niche. But when I took a step back and looked at how far I had come—from fulfilling small individual orders to landing my first wholesale deal—I realized I had made tremendous progress. It wasn’t happening at the same pace as someone else, but it was my pace, and that was something to be proud of.

Celebrate Your Wins

It’s easy to see someone else’s success and forget to celebrate your own. Take time to appreciate your wins, no matter how big or small.. Creaitng your own Book of Awesome is a great place to start. Whether it’s launching a new product, getting a great customer review, or hitting a sales milestone, your accomplishments are worth celebrating.

Action Tip: Keep a list of your wins—big and small. When you feel the urge to compare, look back at how much progress you’ve made and the unique value you bring to your business.

Conclusion: Stay Focused on Your Own Path

There will always be someone you admire in the handmade space, but comparison is the thief of joy. Focus on your journey, celebrate your progress, and trust that you’re exactly where you need to be. Every step you take is leading you closer to your own version of success, and that’s something no one else can replicate.

Question: What can you do today to stop comparing your business to others and focus on your own unique path?