One Upper.

One of my favorite movies is, "Bridesmaids". Have you seen it? This movie is a prime example of what a "one upper", can do and how others might feel around that person.

I think we all have encountered a "one upper" at one time or another.

You know the type? The type of person that has to do one better than you or worse, depending on the situation.

They are the type that cannot just sit back and listen to another person's story, they will have a bigger and better story to counter your story.

The one upper, does not only share their own experience, but many times, they navigate the energy to them, as you know, what they went through was way better or was way worse.

"Oh, that's nothing", or, "Oh, did I tell you when "I", they say, right before leading into their story, all they care about is out doing you. Most of their stories will be full of, "I". Because, they do so much.

I mean, I'm sure they saved the world! Sorry. Overly, exaggerated.

I once worked with a person that was a "one upper", probably still is, who knows. Everything she did, did in the past, was currently doing, was so much more and so much better, so much worse, just so much, just so much more that is, than anyone else. She was very important. Whatever she did was "gold". 

Initially, since I had not truly encountered someone that was a one upper and held her role, I didn't know what to think. I thought that maybe she just was one that truly thought she was so much better than everyone else. Over time, though, I just felt sorry for her, as there is always a reason why a one upper is the way they are.

The "one upper" may be a friend, a colleague, a supervisor, they can be just about anyone. No matter what role they may play, they are simply draining.

A few things I learned when encountering, this type of person, is to not compete with them. I learned to not lower myself to their level. Although, it may sound fun, just to see how far that game could go, but in the end, they'll win and you will just feel bad about yourself. They've had more practice.

Another thing to do is to distance yourself from those unhappy "Helens". I found it less draining, to not be involved in the same circles as "one uppers", may be in.

In the movie, Helen made Annie feel like she was inferior to her, she outdid her on everything. 

Don't be a "Helen".

I, on the other hand, would rather be a "Megan".