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Envy Series II: Ways to Overcoming Envy

Envy Series II: Ways to Overcoming Envy

Saturday 11th March 2017

Envy is a strong desire or longing to have something that another person has, but jealousy is when there is worry that someone is trying to take away what you have. Feeling either of these emotions can evoke strong feelings of inadequacy. Here are a few helpful tips that may help:

Take off those rose-tinted glasses:
The 'rose-tinted glass illusion' is where it feels that other people have it all and their life is better than yours. During these moments it is helpful to remind yourself that nobody has it all. Doing negative comparisons ultimately makes you feel worse about yourself. The main reason being is that what you are doing is comparing the worst of your own life with the best of what you assume others have. This is self-deprecating and can ultimately cause you more harm than good. Gently remind yourself that everyone experiences trials and tribulations as part of life and which, by the very nature, makes us human.

Choose your friends wisely:
Avoid being with people who do not share the same values as you. If you spend all your time with people who compare the latest fashions or cars then you may find yourself wanting or desiring such materialistic objects. Thus, it is important to do things that are in line with your own values and belief system and to be with those friends who share the same outlook on life.

Remind yourself what you have:
Shift your focus to the good stuff. It can be easy to forget what we actually have and begin to envy the life of another. Positive affirmations can be really useful: "You are a badass" "You are amazing and unique" "You are loved" "You are the doing the best you can." There are countless reasons to be grateful for the life you have right now and say thank you.

Follow this advice over the course of a week and see how it positively impacts on how you feel about yourself. And remember that your uniqueness adds to the diversity of this world so let envy become part of your past.

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