I’ve always liked this strategy ever since I learned about it whether it’s thinking of all the people that have existed through time, all the people that exist now, or even just comparing my troubles to the greater suffering of those around the world (although sometimes I worry that comparing myself to other people as my strategy isn’t always the best).
Personally I’m not as sure that contemplating the vastness of the universe helps since I don’t necessarily think our smallness makes us any less valuable, but thinking of my smallness in terms of the number of people who exist, have existed, or will exist works well since my life is no more valuable than any of theirs.
Matthew, yes, the vastness of time isn't very helpful for me either, in this respect. But reminding myself that my first world problems are nothing compared to what other human beings have been or are right now going through does.
I’ve always liked this strategy ever since I learned about it whether it’s thinking of all the people that have existed through time, all the people that exist now, or even just comparing my troubles to the greater suffering of those around the world (although sometimes I worry that comparing myself to other people as my strategy isn’t always the best).
Personally I’m not as sure that contemplating the vastness of the universe helps since I don’t necessarily think our smallness makes us any less valuable, but thinking of my smallness in terms of the number of people who exist, have existed, or will exist works well since my life is no more valuable than any of theirs.
Matthew, yes, the vastness of time isn't very helpful for me either, in this respect. But reminding myself that my first world problems are nothing compared to what other human beings have been or are right now going through does.