Like rest of Gen-Z ,I grew up in the continuous atmosphere of comparisons and competetions. The comparisons were made to show me direction and give me energy as well. While I was kept in continuous competetive environment to polish my skills. It was good and I performed well. I grew up as studious and intelligent student who not only performed in curricular but extra curricular activities as well.But this non-stopping competetion kept me under pressure . The pressure of not lagging behind. I always used to be finding ways to perform best after being best. This snatched from me the zeal of a boy fun of childhood as well.
The general concept about competitions is that they polish one’s skills and abilities by compelling him to perform well. When there is no competition,people can’t identify their faults.They stay in a dilemma of being completely able but competition and comparison debunk where they lag. They expose their shortcomings which need to be work on. By competition ,one grinds and attains a very refined version.It drives innovation, fuels resilience, and cultivates a habit of striving for more .
But similarly competition affects negatively as well, it destroys mental health by keeping one’s mind continuously under pressure . The pressure exhausts their mind and they give up. Not everyone learns , grows, or shines at the same pace . Forcing uniformity through competition can crush individuallity and self acceptance.
That's why all this comparing and competing can really mess people up, leading to burnout, depression, and even suicide all over the world. Competition can steal kids' confidence. Not everyone can do everything the same way. When you constantly compare one kid to another, it takes away their sense of self. The pressure to win, to prove you're good enough, and to meet expectations can get super stressful. Instead of pushing us to do better, it can turn into a total nightmare filled with fear and emotional pain.
So, when competitions happen, it’s important to have proper mental health check-ups to see if things are starting to get unhealthy. Parents, teachers, and schools should not only aim for greatness but also pay attention to how kids are feeling. Regular check-ins about mental health, talking openly, and creating a vibe that rewards effort ...rather than just winning makes a big difference. Kids need to be supported, not just ranked against each other. We should celebrate each person’s growth instead of comparing them.
In the end, competition should be more like a way to help each other grow, not a crazy fight where everyone is under pressure. It needs to be about lifting each other up, not giving them the chills.when things are right it brings the best of us .But if we just let it run wild, it can really hurt what makes us all special. The goal should always be to help each other, not to make anyone feel overwhelmed.
