Understanding Envy
In life envy can show as a feeling like I want this, or someone has something better and I want it. These feelings are completely normal and everyone everywhere feels envy.
Envy can take an emotion toll on you as you will start to wonder what new they have what they have done. For example one of your friends goes to an exotic place then you go somewhere else exotic.
There are many reasons people envy other people, some people hurt other because of insecurities for any number of reasons, unmet expectations of being who you dreamed of being for example first woman pilot Baroness Raymonde de Laroche beat you in 1882.
The impact of Envy
Envy is not harmful to anyone but yourself unless you act on your envy.
Envy can strain relationships because you or someone you know are trying to be like or copy you or someone you know.
There is a link, when someone feels envious with someone and not liking their life the way it is.
Envy can hinder your personal growth by not even noticing anything but what others have and you don’t, but it block you from seeing all you have and have achieved.
The causes of envy are wanting something better or that someone else has. For example one friend has a massive house with a pool and the other only has a small two bed flat and the one in the two bed flat is envious of the space the other friend has.
Shifting Perspective
Everyone is on a journey in life, no matter how far alone the journey everyone is trying to reach a goal. Stop thinking like you’re life goals are everyone’s goal.
Focus on your goals instead of how far others are, for instance if you see someone buy 1 gift and then you buy 2 gift for them are you thinking about the person you are buying for or are you thinking about one upping the other person.
If you change your mindset to one that believes that you can do anything instead of one which says you cannot do anything you believe you can.
Practicing Gratitude
You use gratitude to combat the envy that you feel during the bad times when you struggle to most with envy.
There are practical ways to practice gratitude every day such as journaling and reflating on the blessings you receive.
when you focus on gratitude it switches our focus back to what we have instead of what you do not have.
Celebrating Others’ Success
We all need to learn to genuinely celebrate other peoples achievements without feeling like you are not as good as someone else because of their achievements.
It is good for you as well if you support and have a positive outlook on life.
It also helps build strong relationships and reduces the want to compare your life to theirs.
Contentment as a Lifestyle
You need to remember life isn’t a competition, you need to remember that your own personal goals and values may not always be the same as other people’s. You need to find joy in the present rather than wishing/wanting what others have. Your life and goals are your own and what you do with them may not be according to God’s plan but he will help you back onto your life path that he has planned for you.
Spiritual and Emotional Growth
The point of having faith or spirituality is finding the contentment and beating the feelings envy from making you an issue.
You need to follow and embrace self-love and that even if someone is doing better you still matter to God and no one can ever compare to you in his eyes. God love you for you.
You can can use mindfulness to identify and allow you to not struggle with envious thoughts.
Practical Tips to Avoid Envy
Limit social media use to avoid unhealth comparisons.
Focus on your own personal achievements and growth.
Journal about all the things you are grateful for and all that you have achieved that day.
Practice generosity and kindness to others and yourself to encourage a sense of abundance.
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