Is it normal to compare relationships?
Yes, it’s normal to compare relationships, whether you’re thinking about past partners or other couples. It can help you notice what matters to you, but constant scorekeeping can make a good relationship feel lacking.
People naturally compare—especially when you’re trying to understand what feels good, what’s missing, or whether a current relationship is different from one you’ve had before. It doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or that you secretly want someone else’s relationship.
The useful question is what the comparison is telling you. Wanting more affection or better communication is worth paying attention to; expecting your relationship to match someone else’s highlight reel is usually a setup for disappointment. Relationships have different people, needs, and rough patches, most of which don’t show up in public.