Jealousy is almost always rooted in insecurity. Whether we’re comparing ourselves to strangers on social media or feeling inferior to a new colleague, jealousy is an emotion that can trap us in a self-perpetuating cycle of discontent.
Once we’re able to recognize where our jealousy comes from, however — feeling self-conscious about our looks or sensing distance from a romantic partner, for instance — we can begin to address the real issues and take constructive steps toward handling our envy.
This may look like building our self-confidence or initiating vulnerable conversations with loved ones who might not always realize how their actions affect us. If we don’t make an effort to change our perspective or our actions, jealousy can continue to fester inside us, leading to increased alienation and frustration.
Perhaps one of the hardest things to remember is that jealousy is a natural human emotion, and it’s OK to feel this way from time to time. Judging ourselves for feeling envious only makes it more difficult to heal. Here, we’ve rounded up 10 quotes to help manage jealousy and reframe the situation to achieve a healthy resolution.
The jealousy that arises from another’s achievement is overcome by developing an awareness of and admiration for one’s own and other’s achievement.
When jealousy rears up, it indicates that something inside of you is afraid. It’s an alarm, nothing less and nothing more. Treat it as such. Maybe it’s a false alarm, something said or done resembling a past situation that hurt you.
The kernel of all jealousy is lack of love.
Anger, resentment, and jealousy doesn’t change the heart of others — it only changes yours.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Envy is ever joined with the comparing of a man’s self; and where there is no comparison, no envy.
Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy — in fact, they’re almost incompatible; one emotion hardly leaves room for the other.
Our envy always lasts longer than the happiness of those we envy.
François de La Rochefoucauld
Isn’t it kind of silly to think that tearing someone else down builds you up?
Surrounded by the flames of jealousy, the jealous one winds up, like the scorpion, turning the poisoned sting against himself.
Featured Image Credit: Stock Montage/ Archive Photos via Getty Images
Joyce Chen
Joyce Chen is a writer, editor, and community builder based in Seattle, Washington.
