Is it normal to compare your relationship to others?
Yes, it’s normal to compare your relationship with other people’s sometimes. It’s more useful as a prompt to notice what you want than as a scorecard for whether your relationship is good enough.
Lots of people do this, especially when friends are sharing happy moments or social media makes everyone else’s relationship look effortlessly perfect. Comparing can help you notice something you’d like more of, like affection, quality time, or better communication.
The catch is that you’re seeing a sliver of someone else’s relationship, not the whole thing. If comparisons leave you feeling resentful or constantly worried that yours isn’t good enough, try focusing on what actually feels good or missing between you and your partner—and talk about that directly.