She spends a good 20 minutes telling be how behind she feels. Behind the colleague just offered “the fanciest project ever”. Behind the other mums who organise “such nice parties”. Behind the friends who have “such a special bond as a couple”.
She is one of my favourite human beings : Smart, fun, generous, present, full of projects. A seasoned professional and a wonderful mum. A genuine source of inspiration for me.
And yet. Always feeling behind.
“I am so sorry you will not win the trophy for the Best Life Lived”, I said.
She gave me her special “I hate you / I love you” look. We hugged and laughed.
Look at it. This extraordinary amount of energy we spend comparing ourselves to others. “She is more…”, “he got there faster…”, “they are so much more…”. That exhausting background music that kicks in before you even notice it, and never quite stops.
But here is the thing. When we approach the finish line (I mean when we actually die), surprise surprise there is no podium and no trophy. Well, maybe there never was a race to begin with … Because life is not a staircase where you push people out of the way to get to the top
I believe everyone is walking on the same flat ground. Some appear further along. Some have just started. Different speeds, different distances. Same ground.
It is a path. Your path. And the only question that actually matters is : am I moving forward? Not faster than her. Not further than him. Just… forward. On my own feet. At my own pace. One step at a time.
That’s a very different game. And a much more honest one.
So, tell me. Whose race are you running right now? What needs to change ?
Be brave.
Delphine
#TheCourageofBeing
Photo – April 2026 – Pas très loin du refuge des Près (Les Contamines- Montjoie). Moving forward.