Joan looked up an old friend on Facebook. She saw that friend was married to a successful business owner and was living in a beautiful home on a large acreage with all kinds of luxuries, such as a boat, RV, and hot tub. She also saw that they had recently purchased a second home in another country. She was jealous of the success that they had compared to her own life, and it brought her down.
The Problem With Joan’s Jealousy
Joan’s jealousy, while a common human emotion, impacts her life negatively in several profound ways.
Firstly, it detracts from her ability to appreciate her own achievements and the unique path she’s traversed. Instead of celebrating her progress and personal successes, Joan’s envy mires her in a state of dissatisfaction, always comparing and finding her life wanting. This incessant comparison robs her of joy, making her accomplishments seem lesser than they are.
Additionally, this jealousy fosters a toxic mindset that focuses on scarcity rather than abundance, leading Joan to believe that success is a limited resource, and someone else’s achievements diminish her own potential.
This mindset can manifest in her relationships as bitterness or resentment, straining or even severing ties with friends or acquaintances perceived to be more successful.
On a personal level, the energy Joan expends feeling jealous is energy not spent on her growth and happiness. It traps her in a cycle of negativity, hindering creativity and motivation to pursue her own dreams.
This emotional drain can also impact her mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, or depression, tarnishing her quality of life with a shadow of discontent.
10 Things Joan Can Do Instead Of Being Jealous
1. Cultivate Gratitude
First and foremost, Joan can make gratitude a very high priority in her life. Gratitude helps to shift the focus from what she lacks to what she already has, and studies have shown that practicing gratitude can increase overall happiness and life satisfaction.
Joan can do this by keeping a gratitude journal, writing down at least three things she is grateful for each day. She can also make it a habit to express her appreciation for the people and things in her life regularly.
2. Focus on Personal Growth
Instead of comparing herself to others, Joan can focus on her own personal growth and development. She can set specific goals for herself and work towards achieving them, rather than trying to outdo someone else. This will help her build self-confidence and increase her sense of accomplishment.
3. Keep An Open Heart And Mind
Jealousy often stems from a closed-minded or defensive perspective. Joan can work towards keeping an open heart and mind, learning to see things from different perspectives and embracing the success of others as inspiration rather than threats.
4. Practice Self-Care
Taking care of oneself is crucial for overall well-being. Joan can make self-care activities a regular part of her routine, whether it’s taking a relaxing bath, going for a walk, or practicing mindfulness and meditation.
5. Learn Something New
Instead of being envious of someone else’s skills or achievements, Joan can focus on learning something new. This could be anything from picking up a new hobby to taking a course in a subject she has always been interested in. Doing this will not only distract her from comparing herself to others, but it will also help her develop new skills and knowledge.
6. Send Love To Her Ex Friend
This is a hard one, but if Joan can do it, she can release the negative emotions associated with her former friendship. To do this, she can simply send love and positive thoughts to her ex-friend, wishing them well and acknowledging that their success does not diminish her own.
7. Surround Herself With Positive Influences
The people we surround ourselves with can greatly impact our mindset and behavior. Joan can choose to spend time with individuals who uplift and motivate her, rather than those who bring her down or make her feel envious.
8. Celebrate Her Own Successes
Instead of being jealous of others’ success, Joan should take the time to celebrate her own success and accomplishments. This will help boost her self-esteem and remind her that she is capable of achieving great things on her own terms. She can also use this as an opportunity to reflect on all the hard work and dedication she has put into her own success.
9. Live Her Best Life Despite What She Has (Or Doesn’t Have)
At the end of the day, Joan should prioritize living her own best life regardless of how it may compare to others.
She can focus on setting and achieving her own goals, rather than constantly comparing herself to others. This will allow her to cultivate a positive mindset and lead a fulfilling life based on her own values and desires.
10. Surround Herself With Positive Role Models
Another way for Joan to combat feelings of envy is by surrounding herself with positive role models who inspire and motivate her. These can be people from different backgrounds, industries or even close friends and family members who have achieved success in their own way.
By being around these individuals, Joan can learn from their journeys and gain a new perspective on success. Moreover, she will be exposed to positive energy and motivation that will encourage her to work towards her own goals.
