I don't understand your point re Bruni (I went to her site for context, but I don't speak French) or how it is a compliment to her and the other first ladies. Maybe I'm not clear on what you're asking, but no, I do not feel as if I'm in a beauty contest.

It's really weird that you posted this, because just yesterday I broke down because I've been feeling really insecure. I just started college, and I'm surround by so many beautiful people...it's hard NOT to compare myself to them.

I compare myself constantly and I know it's unhealthy. Almost all my female friends are around 25 and I'm going to be 30 soon. They still have flawless skin, gorgeous thick hair, are like 5'9" and are size 0's and 2's. I'm just starting to get some fine lines around my eyes (from a childhood worshipping the sun and working at computers so much) and I've always had thin babyfine hair. They never have puffy dark circles under their eyes and I'm constantly battling them now. I'm a size 0-2 also, but because I'm only 5'5", standing next to them I feel short and frumpy. Ugh - it's a constant battle for me because I used to have that flawless skin and I was so petite (altered clothing smaller than a zero)that even though I was only 5'5", I looked long legged and thin. Now not so much!

Whether or not people want to admit it, this IS very true. From the time we are babies, we find ourselves constantly being compared to others - a sibling, cousin, friend, neighbor etc. And then we start school - and it gets WORSE.
And by the time we enroll in college we hope that we will be accepted for who we are-and find out that we end up being compared to all those "Sorority-types". It never ends!!!!

Not really- I don't think about it unless someone is spectacularly gorgeous + sexy. But I have skinny competitions, unconsciously. I always lose those, which is ok. Being 8 pounds over your ideal weight is still pretty healthy. It sucks to be a girl.

If it is, I'm winning. Kidding! I've gotten into the habit of instead of saying "she's prettier than me or she's not as pretty as me" I tell myself "we're beautiful in different ways"

A little I guess... but I get seriously jealous when a girl is my age and has a better career or is more highly educated.

Ugh, I do this all time although I know its unhealthy. I'm trying to get better though.

Anonymous- that was a horrible comment. She was just expressing her feelings, which I'm sure many women can relate to. I'd love to see what YOU look like.

I agree, Anon should get lost.
But anyway, I'm more about comparing with exercises and other things I can do as opposed to other women I know. My friend rocks with pull-ups and push ups and I'm like "Arrgh! I want to do that!" I compare with that kind of stuff, but not with looks, well not anymore.

Also those kind of crap comments about other women like the one from Anon on here are horrible. This site is supposed to be a place to vent and get support and share tips and laugh. Not to tear other girls down!

ofcourse its a competition. i hate to say it, but we ladies always want to be prettier or skinnier or smarter or have a better boyfriend, and we dont want to be the last one single etc.. its stressful, and sometimes immature and unhealthy, but its inevitable.
however, competition also helps you self-improve which isn't always so bad.

always. i wish i knew how to turn it off.

I think life itself is a competition and having women compare/size each other up is just one of the million contests that you have to deal with. From my experience, my mother (and she still does) compares me to my friends alllll the dang time but in the end, it all depends on how happy you are with yourself - everyone is different and beautiful in their own way. You just have to work with what you got and honestly, any woman is much more beautiful when they exude confidence.

just wanna say queen rania is prettier than all 3 of these women. she is stunning

Usually I don't feel like I have to, unless it's an occasion where I really have to pull out all the stops. In my day to day life I only feel as though it's a beauty contest when I have a zit coming up or my hair is unusually fuzzy.

Unfortunately, women have a tendency to compare themselves and/or others. It's good to appreciate other people's traits. But it's not healthy if you're not happy with what you have.

Yes, Queen Rania is very beautiful. But when I was in Jordan last year, I ask some local people about her. They think she's a bit too skinny. Goes to show, beauty can be subjective.

Always, unfortunately.

Just to clarify, Anon, you're comments were uncalled for and rude.

When I was in my early 20's I was confident in my looks and health, especially because I had an unhealthy obsession with working out due to a lot of free time in college. I was extremely fit and well, everyone looks great in their early 20's - for most people it is the peak of beauty.

My mother, who has always been emotionally abusive and jealous of me told me when I turned 25 that she's going to laugh because now that I'm past my prime, I'm going to get fat and ugly like her and that I won't know how to deal with it. She's said she's going to watch and laugh as I age and start to look more and more like her. She has always pointed out every flaw in me and compared me to all my friends and it has made me paranoid. I would say my unhealthy obsession with comparing myself to others is from growing up watching my shallow mom who only values someone's physical appearance do it and having her criticize me all my life.

I compare my appearances to other girls all the time, so I guess you could say it's something like a "contest" but one I always feel I lose.

Yogaforlife- you don't have to explain yourself. We all support you. That comment's been removed. It's so wrong for people who don't even know you to say stuff like that about you.

Thanks Genesis.

I didn't see the post that was removed, but it seems like there's been a slew of hateful anonymous posts on the Sugar network lately. It's find to disagree, but I don't know why people feel the need to personally attack others who are just truthfully answering the questions posed on here.

During a recent split~ my partner chased a younger, beautiful woman. She told him "No". He lied about it when we got back together. I believe what she has told me because of "proof" I have that she is telling the truth..I won't get into the details here. Women are absololutely competing~ why? The media brings forth soft porn at every turn. Perfectly sculpted, made up figures, half dressed..how are we supposed to feel? Women are trying to look good...so now none of us can relax, right...the men have so much eye candy. Too bad that the women soak up the attention too whether they want the man who is eying them or not. SO much flirting.