‘Two sides to a coin’: Rakul Preet Singh shares a simple mindset shift that can change how you see your life

Her perspective highlights how easily the mind can get trapped in the first version by spotlighting what’s missing or what hasn’t gone according to plan. But she emphasised the importance of consciously choosing the other side of the coin, adding, “So there are always two sides to a coin. And I’m not just saying it, I truly believe it. I truly believe that there are so many people out there who want to be at the opportunity that you have today.”

She pointed out how comparison can quietly erode appreciation for one’s own journey, saying, “So I can either just say, oh, my film’s not done 500 crores, somebody else’s has done. Or I can just be grateful that I have a film, and I’m working, and people are liking my work.” While her example comes from her own field, the emotional experience is universal; most people, in their own way, have felt the pull between comparison and gratitude.

Balancing healthy ambition with gratitude without feeling guilty for wanting more 

Dr Anitha B, clinical psychologist, Cadabams Hospitals, tells indianexpress.com, “Ambition and gratitude can coexist. In fact, psychology frames them as complementary mindsets rather than conflicting ones. Gratitude grounds a person in the present by acknowledging what is working. Ambition pulls a person toward future goals. Problems arise only when people attach guilt to wanting more or shame to not having achieved enough.”

 

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A healthier way to navigate this tension is to let gratitude anchor identity and let ambition inform direction. “One practical exercise is to set goals while simultaneously identifying what is already supporting those goals. This trains the mind to hold both appreciation and drive at the same time,” notes the expert. 

Strategies to help people interrupt the comparison loop 

Comparison is a natural mental habit, Dr Anitha says, but when it becomes constant, it distorts self-evaluation and increases anxiety. The goal is not to eliminate comparison but to interrupt it before it becomes automatic.

She suggests one helpful strategy is to shift from external benchmarks to internal ones. This moves the mind back to personal progress and restores a sense of agency. Another practical technique is stimulus control. If specific environments or online behaviours trigger comparison, limiting exposure helps reduce the frequency of those thoughts.

“People can also develop grounding routines such as journaling wins, tracking small improvements, or speaking to a trusted person who reflects reality without judgment. These practices strengthen a stable self-narrative, which makes external comparisons less powerful. When individuals build a habit of checking in with their own values and long-term goals, they stay connected to what truly matters rather than chasing someone else’s highlight reel,” concludes Dr Anitha.