We all have someone in our lives who is overshadowing us. This can be a distant relative, friend, coworker, or even a sibling. However, you don’t need to let their shadow keep you down. You can find your own unique way to shine and stand out from the crowd.
In order to get out of someone’s shadow, you need to first acknowledge that you are in their shadow. Then identify what it is about them that fascinates others or what it is that they do that is making you feel smaller.
When someone is overshadowed by another person or group, they often feel like they are not appreciated or that they’re being taken for granted. It can be difficult to find the right balance between appreciating what others love us for, and not trying to do more than we can afford only to get more spotlight on us.
In order to get out of someone’s shadow, you need to learn how to be assertive in conversations with your peers and superiors without being aggressive or rude either. To leave from beneath someone’s shadow, you have to be able to stand on your own and shine.
How to deal with being overshadowed by someone else?
1- Emphasise the unique things about you:
For many people, being overshadowed by someone else is a reality. It can be hard to find your own special qualities when you are constantly being compared to someone else. But it is important for us to recognize our own strengths and not let others take them away from us.
Many people feel like they don’t have any special qualities and that no one notices them for who they are. It is important for us to find the things about ourselves that we love and appreciate and to put them forward or emphasize them, so we can stop feeling like we are always overshadowed.
2- Handle it with grace:
It is easy to feel overshadowed by someone who has more success than you. But remember that it is not about winning or losing, it’s about the journey and how you handle the situation.
In a time where everything is changing, it’s important to remember that there are always going to be people who try and bring us down. It’s important that we don’t let this type of people influence us and get us to think we’re worthless or that we failed.
Demonstrate that you’re happy with where you’re at and always seem to be content and unaffected by the other people that achieved more. This way you can prove to others that you’re not childish, petty, or bitter. You’re still classy, polite, happy, and respectful even in situations where you’re provoked or look like you’re too overshadowed.
3- Don’t allow comparison:
We all have a tendency to compare ourselves to others. This can be harmful to our self-esteem and confidence. It can also make us feel like we are not good enough or that we don’t deserve better.
It is important to realize that no one is perfect and there is always someone who has it worse than you, but also someone who has it better. The key is to not accept when others compare you to someone in any way and to state that you’re your own person, instead. So keep striving towards your goals instead of comparing yourself with others.
If you are feeling overshadowed by someone, don’t let it get to you and accept what they have to offer. It’s not about who has more or who has less; it’s about what you have and how it can help shape a beautiful future for your own self and a nice life journey.
4- Don’t care about what others think:
If you’re one to worry and get sad over what others have to say then you need to shake that off and stop worrying about what others think of you. You can never please 100% of the population. There will always be someone who’s gonna compare you to that person or the other or who’s gonna say you’re awful in that department of life or the other.
Don’t forget to check later our article on how to stop caring about others’ opinions. It’s hard to not care what people think of you. We worry about our reputation and how we are perceived by others. However, with the right tools and ideas at hand, it’s very doable.
Bottom line:
It’s not that easy to get out of someone’s shadow. It takes time, patience, and a lot of hard work. When you finally do get out of someone’s shadow, it feels amazing but try to also be sensible enough not to overshadow others either.
Always try to get everyone’s attention and put others’ eyes and attention on how great your youngest siblings are doing for themselves when you can. Or, in other words; try to encourage and cheer the less fortunate and the people that are trying but still doing less of a good job than yourself. Whatever you do, do not allow anyone to compare you to others and especially not your romantic partner!