Confronting Jealousy

Go ahead and look that monster in its big green eyes.

With holidays done and a new year begun, it is not uncommon to have "pangs of jealousy" for what others have accomplished, enjoyed, or acquired. Jealousy often gets a bad rap, but don’t be so quick to look away from that green-eyed monster. When jealousy gets repressed in shame, it can grow into chronic powerlessness and bitter envy towards others. A very human “I want” becomes an angry “I can’t have.” But when we acknowledge and sit gently with our jealous feelings, we can process them productively and let them go:

• Examine your jealousy for useful clues about what you may want. Have you been neglecting your needs or goals? Is it time to shift your priorities or find the courage to create change?
• Ask yourself if the jealousy is for want of superficial things or represents a deeper need for something inside. Consider emotional wounds that may need healing.
• When circumstances are beyond your control, allow yourself to accept and grieve what you don’t have.
• Focus on gratitude—for all that you already have in your life. The things you envy may not measure up after all.
• Avoid the trap of “comparing and despairing.” Limit exposure to social media, where others present curated versions of their lives.
• Remind yourself that you don’t need to attain what others have in order to find fulfillment within yourself.

In conclusion, confronting jealousy can be a powerful act of self-awareness and growth. By acknowledging and examining our jealous feelings, we can uncover valuable insights about our needs, desires, and priorities. Instead of allowing jealousy to consume us with bitterness and envy, we can use it as a catalyst for positive change and personal transformation.

Remember, jealousy is a natural human emotion, but it doesn't have to control us. By focusing on gratitude, accepting what we cannot change, and finding fulfillment within ourselves, we can overcome jealousy and cultivate a greater sense of contentment and peace in our lives.

So, go ahead and confront that green-eyed monster. Look it in the eyes, and then let it go. You have the power to transform jealousy into empowerment and fulfillment, one step at a time.