Comparison Is the Thief of Joy: Gen X + Gen Z on Milestones & Growth

Comparison is the thief of joy, but knowing that has never once made me stop doing it. This week Faith and I get honest about how comparison hits differently at 24 and at 50. She opens up about measuring herself against her dad and me at her age, chasing milestones that keep moving, and comparing herself to a "fake version" of who she'd be if she'd made different choices. I share what my twenties actually felt like behind the row home and the marriage everyone seemed to envy. We get into social media highlight reels, the strange pressure of a life with no rubric, why "life is long" changed the way I think about all of it, and how we're both learning to turn the gaze inward instead of out. Plus a Sondheim quote, a dad quote worth writing down, and a reminder that your dreams are allowed to change. Our wonders this week: my ongoing iced coffee experiments and Faith's role in A King for All Time at Hopkins Community Theater. Timestamps 0:00 Why comparison, why now 1:15 Comparing to social media vs. real life 1:50 Comparing to your parents at your age 4:00 The "fake version of me" trap 5:45 New York, the Knicks, and homesickness 9:30 The comfort of the familiar 12:00 No rubric: growth with no mile markers 18:00 The wheel of life check-in 20:30 Life is long 24:00 Dad quote + Sondheim quote 28:00 Dreams are allowed to change 30:00 Be here now 31:20 Wonders: iced coffee + A King for All Time 34:45 Outro Reflection posts and show musings drop on Substack twice a week. Join the paid Women of Wonder community for Monday discussion prompts and monthly live calls. Join here: https://thewonder.life/show/ Welcome to "Wonder in the Weeds" with trauma therapist Cristie Ritz-King. This is the show where we talk about how to live, love, and grow right alongside grief, change, and the "wild messiness of this human life". Moving beyond the role of the "blank slate" therapist , Cristie combines her professional experience with her personal stories of challenge and reinvention. We're not about toxic positivity or influencer-style advice. Instead, this is a space for authentic connection, community , and understanding that we don't have to wait for life to be perfect to feel good. Each week, we'll talk about: Finding "wonder" even when you feel like you're "walking through the weeds". Navigating personal change, from parenting to finding your authentic self. The "Weeds of the Week," where we discuss everything from small daily annoyances to the big things that bother us. Sharing stories to feel less alone in our experiences. Join us to get through the weeds together. Let's connect: ➡️ Website: https://thewonder.life/