Renee Hyde and psychologist Sharon Draper, with Andy Wright moderating, unpacked why we compare ourselves to others online: it’s normal, social media is designed to hook us, and everyone’s just sharing a highlight reel. Their advice? Set clear boundaries, limit your scrolling, put your phone away when you need focus, and swap doom scrolling for something that actually restores you — all while remembering to go easy on yourself.
We've all been there – mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, watching everyone else's highlight reel, and feeling like we're falling short. It's that familiar pang of comparison that leaves us questioning our own worth and achievements.
This question was answered by Renee Hyde– Client and Agency Leadership at Howatson+Company with expertise running large integrated clients globally, and Sharon – Psychologist with 13 years' experience helping people gain insight into their thoughts and behaviours, with Andy Wright– Host, CEO Streamtime moderating the discussion.
The first step in stopping comparison is recognising that you're not alone in this struggle. As Renee explains: "I think this is so normal and I've been really aware of this behaviour recently having children and starting to think about social media for them."
Sharon reinforces this point, noting that even when we intellectually understand social media isn't real, we still feel affected: "I have a lot of clients who know that people are presenting their this not real sort of self but yet they still feel lesser. So even that knowledge sometimes isn't always enough."
The age-old saying holds true here – as Sharon confirms: "Comparison is the thief of joy. Absolutely."
It's crucial to understand that your struggle with comparison isn't a personal failing. Renee points out: "Social media is designed to be addictive and it is similar to gambling that the algorithm is designed to bring up content and to make you doom scroll and stay there."
People naturally curate their best moments online. As Renee observes: "People curate the best version of themselves on social media. There isn't a lot of content of people rushing late home or not fitting their latest pair of jeans because they've had a great weekend."
The key to stopping comparison lies in setting clear boundaries with social media. Renee shares a game-changing strategy: "I've recently used the feature on Instagram where it gives you a time limit each day and then it pops up and says you've reached your time limit. And that has been game-changing for me in terms of just being aware of my habits."
Sharon emphasises the importance of physical boundaries: "My phone is on silent always. I'm just forever on silent because I do not want that thing to grab my attention at any time. I want to choose to use it."
Every notification pulls your focus away from what matters. Sharon explains: "Every time you get a message and you're busy doing something your attention goes to that. So every time that happens your energy goes to something else and then it takes you away from that thing that you're doing."
For productive work, Sharon recommends: "When you want to be productive doing something you've got to put your phone away. It has to be away."
Instead of doom scrolling when you're bored or avoiding feelings, consider better reset habits. As discussed in the conversation, alternatives might include "listening to some music or going for a walk around the block."
Sharon notes that phones become "a great distraction" and are "too easy" to reach for when we want to avoid uncomfortable feelings or boredom.
Remember that learning to stop comparing yourself to others is a process, not a destination. The goal isn't to eliminate social media entirely, but to develop a healthier relationship with it. As Sharon suggests, it's about "trying to find a way to live with it" while maintaining awareness of how these platforms are designed to capture your attention.
You have the power to choose when and how you engage with social media. By setting boundaries, creating awareness around your habits, and having alternative activities ready, you can break free from the comparison trap and focus on your own journey.
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Renee is responsible for client and agency leadership at Howatson+Company. She specialises in running large, integrated clients both locally (Allianz, Samsung, CBA) and globally (Marriott International, IBM, Microsoft, Google) having worked in leading agencies in Australia and New York like M&C Saatchi, CHE Proximity and Anomaly. Renee has a unique skill set having worked in various capacities including consulting, media, customer experience and communications. She has birthed, built and grown brands and is at her best with complex challenges to solve. Renee is also a mentor at the Trenches, a qualified Mental Health first aider and has been recognised by Campaign Asia as a Woman to Watch and by B&T on their Women in Media Power List. As a mother of two young girls, Renee is a passionate advocate for diversity of all forms and is constantly tired.
For the past 13 years, Sharon has worked as a Psychologist, aiming to authentically connect with people to help them feel safe and heard. She believes, if we can gain insight into why we might think, feel and behave a certain way, we can make more sense of our current lives and then, with a growth mindset of self-compassion instead of a fixed mindset of shame, we can consciously implement positive change. Sharon has a holistic approach, she is informed by Existentialism, Neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory and Attachment Science. Sharon believes if we can accept that the behaviours we developed as children were necessary for our survival and if we can understand that all the emotions we feel provide insight into our deepest values, we can live purposeful and meaningful lives. Sharon is currently working on an online program called Taking Up Space. The program empowers women who tend to default to people pleasing behaviours. The program focuses on building insight into ones behaviours, developing emotional competence (learning how to regulate and learn from all emotions we feel) as well as building courage to integrate these insights into our everyday lives so that we can live more authentically. Sharon is also a contributor to Newspaper articles (Sydney Morning Herald), Radio (ABC) and TV (Sky News, Channel 7 Sunrise), and is the Psychologist for eHarmony Australia.
Andy Wright is happiest in a well‑worn baseball cap. As founder of Never Not Creative, he rallies a worldwide community determined to make the creative industry kinder and fairer. He also steers Streamtime as CEO and co‑chairs Mentally Healthy. Different titles, same purpose: brilliant work should never cost anyone their wellbeing. Never Not Creative was born when Andy decided it was time to stand up and make the industry a better place. What started as one person calling for change has grown into a movement that shares research, sparks honest conversations, and builds practical tools that help teams thrive. Andy’s rule of thumb: protect the humans and the great work will follow. Picture a studio cat giving you a gentle nudge to stretch, breathe, and log off before the midnight oil even thinks about burning. Off the clock, Andy is dad to three energetic kids, husband to one exceptionally patient partner, and a loyal Everton supporter (character building, he insists). Whether he is championing healthier workplaces or cheering the Toffees through a tense ninety minutes, Andy believes creative success should leave everyone standing a little taller, not lying flat from exhaustion.
