July 9, 2025
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1750 N. Washington St. Suite 120 Naperville, 60563
1750 N. Washington St. Suite 120 Naperville, 60563
Let’s talk about something that sneaks up on so many of us: comparison. Whether you’re scrolling Instagram or listening to a friend talk about their child’s achievements, that quiet voice creeps in—“Are we doing enough?”
If you’ve ever felt like you’re second place in your own life, this perspective shift might be just what you need.
There’s a powerful reframe rooted in psychological research that can genuinely change how we experience success. It’s called the Bronze Medal Mindset, and as Mel Robbins explains in this video, it can transform how we navigate motherhood, career growth, relationships—and life.
It might sound backwards, but studies show that Olympic bronze medalists are often happier than silver medalists. Why?
It comes down to something psychologists call counterfactual thinking—our brain’s natural tendency to imagine “what could have been.”
Same event. Different mindset. Different emotional experience.
This shift in thinking isn’t just for athletes—it’s for parents, professionals, caregivers, leaders, and anyone who finds themselves caught in the web of comparison.
As therapists, we’ve seen how comparison quietly chips away at confidence and joy. And not just with big life goals—comparison creeps into the everyday:
And comparison almost always moves upward. We rarely compare ourselves to people with less. We look to those who seem to have more—more balance, more energy, more ease.
That mindset keeps us striving without feeling satisfied. It leaves little room for grace.
Mel Robbins calls this shift the Bronze Medal Mindset—choosing to focus on what is rather than what’s missing.
When we train our minds to think like a bronze medalist, we feel grateful, not guilty. We stop obsessing over what we almost did and start honoring what we actually did.
It’s not about settling. It’s about seeing clearly. And that shift is powerful.
Multiple studies back this up. One well-known study of Olympic medalists found that silver medalists—who objectively placed higher—were often less satisfied than bronze medalists (Medvec, Madey & Gilovich, 1995).
Why? Because our minds compare upward by default. Bronze medalists, on the other hand, tend to compare downward—thinking about how they could’ve missed the podium altogether.
When we apply this to our daily lives, we can shift from frustration to peace with a simple question:
“What am I glad I didn’t miss out on today?”
Here’s a simple mindset shift we can use any time comparison shows up:
When practiced consistently, this mindset builds emotional resilience, fuels compassion, and helps us celebrate the small wins that make life meaningful.
At The Centered Life, we help individuals and families shift from pressure to presence. We believe that emotional wellness doesn’t come from pushing harder—it comes from seeing yourself clearly and showing yourself kindness in the process.
Whether you're raising kids, building a business, navigating a new season, or just trying to stay grounded—you're already doing more than enough.
We offer a variety of therapy and wellness services to help you:
Whether you're a parent, professional, or someone seeking more emotional balance, our team is here to support your journey. Reach out to connect with us.
You’re making it through. You’re doing hard things. You’re choosing growth, even when it’s messy.
So today, try this simple reframe:
“We may not have done it perfectly, but we did it. And that matters.”
Because sometimes the biggest win is just staying in the game—with your values intact and your heart still open.
Congratulations on exploring the first steps to enhancing your life. Let’s chat about you, your family, your job, your stress, your desires, and how we can make joy and bliss in between it all.
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