There is no objective scale of suffering. A paper cut can be the worst pain in the world to a hemophiliac; a divorce can be less traumatic than chronic bullying. Pain is subjective. The only person who can measure your pain is you.
For many who have experienced profound trauma, their pain was dismissed or ignored. Proving they have the "worst" story is a desperate attempt to finally be seen and believed. If their suffering is the greatest, then it cannot be denied. the pain olympic
A more apt metaphor is a . We come in from the rain with different wounds—some are bleeding, some are bruised, some are just cold and scared. The goal is not to determine whose wound is deepest, but to offer warmth, bandages, and the quiet reassurance that the storm will not last forever. There is no objective scale of suffering
| | The Pain Olympics | | :--- | :--- | | Aims to connect and heal. | Aims to dominate and win. | | Listens as much as it speaks. | Waits for its turn to speak. | | Allows for nuance and mixed emotions. | Demands a clear hierarchy of suffering. | | Celebrates progress and recovery. | Mourns progress as a loss of status. | | "That happened to me too. It's awful." | "That's nothing. Here's what happened to me." | How to Exit the Arena If you recognize yourself or your social circles engaging in the Pain Olympics, there is a way out. It requires intentional effort and a shift in mindset. The only person who can measure your pain is you