How To Turn Envy Into Something Positive – 7 Easy Ways

Most of us have felt envy at some point in our lives, whether we admit it or not. The good news is that we can turn envy into inspiration. Why let envy bring us down? We can use it as a motivator to better ourselves and work toward what we actually want. If we don’t do so, it could pose a big threat to our mental health. 

It could be your siblings’ lavish house or your partner’s freedom to go out of work every day while you juggle life at home. Envy says,” I want what you have”. Hence, in comparison, envy is messy. Let’s take a broader look at the negative effects of envy and how you can turn it into something positive. 

The Negative Effects Of Envy On Mental Health

Envy and jealousy are common in human nature. But wait, first, let’s clear something up: Envy and jealousy are not the same things. People usually mix them up all the time, but they’re actually pretty much different emotions. Jealousy usually hits when you’re worried about losing something you feel is already yours, like your boyfriend’s or husband’s attention or close friend’s loyalty. Jealousy is kind of protective in nature. It says, “Hey, you don’t take what belongs to me.” 

However, envy is different. It is sneakier. It happens when someone else has something you don’t and you wish you did. That’s what hurts badly. Here, you’re not scared of losing what you have, but you’re upset about what you don’t. You might envy your coworker’s paycheck, your friend’s perfect marriage, or your neighbor’s kids who always score top in their school. 

“Never underestimate the power of jealousy and the power of envy to destroy.” – Oliver Stone 

Envy can drag you down emotionally if you ignore it. It can make you feel anxious, stressed, or even depressed. This can result in low self-esteem, and the constant comparison of your life to someone else’s can restrict you from finding the positive in your own path. After some time, this can damage your relationships, your self-esteem, and your quality of life. That’s why learning to deal with envy in a healthy way is so important.

How to Turn Envy Into Inspiration And Growth – 7 Ways

Envy doesn’t have to be all bad. In fact, if you know how to use it, envy can actually become helpful. It can make you better, it can help you realize what you want from life and what really matters to you. Many people wonder if jealousy is a good thing or if envy is positive. The answer is yes — if you approach it right. With the right mindset, you can start turning envy into personal growth and use it as a tool for self-improvement.

Here are 7 simple and effective ways to turn envy into inspiration, into something that will help you progress rather than regress.

1. Shift your thoughts toward a more positive view

Whenever you feel envious next time, try to wait for some time and flip that thought around. Instead of just getting stuck on other’s cool vacations or fun trips, remember some of the best moments or memorable times you had, or think about something fun you’re planning.

The truth is, you won’t get anything by being envious. You can’t stop others from succeeding, but you can be successful like them if you focus on yourself. Envy will affect your mental as well as physical health. 

Sir Louise L. Hay, says, “Every thought we think is creating our future. When we focus on the good, the positive energy we create in our mind spreads outward into the world around us.”

2. Let envy inspire you to achieve more

Do not let envy make you feel bad; instead, think of it as a little sign. It might be showing you something you really want in your life that you haven’t thought about or tried to achieve. Maybe it’s not even about the stuff someone has but how their life looks or feels. Maybe they seem really happy, or confident, or like they have lots of freedom — and you want that feeling too.

Use that feeling to help you figure out what really matters to you. Then take small steps to work toward it, whether it’s doing better in the office, picking up a new hobby, spending more time with people you care about, or just giving yourself a bit more kindness and rest. Gradually, you can build the kind of life that feels good to you.

3. There’s always enough for everyone

This world has something for everyone. Success is not a limited resource If someone has what you want, then you can also achieve it. Yes, it will take effort, self-belief, and hard work to get there as nothing comes free or easy in this world.

Remember, just because someone else is doing well in their life doesn’t mean you’re behind. A needle is not as big as a sword, but it can sew your button while a sword can’t. You’re just on your own path, moving at your own pace. Therefore, when you feel envy coming in, remind yourself that there’s space for your dreams too. Keep showing up, keep trying, and trust that with time and effort, you’ll get where you want to be.

4. Learn from the people you admire most

There is one way to transform your envy to achieve your goals: learning from the competitor. Most people are more open than you’d think and happy to talk about their journey, their ups and downs. Hearing their story might help you to realize that they didn’t get overnight success. Never hesitate to take their advice, and learn how to avoid some of the mistakes they made in the past.

“The beauty of life lies in learning consistently, especially from those who inspire us to be better versions of ourselves.” – M.K. Gandhi

5. Celebrate your achievements and give yourself credit

Stop and think about your own progress over time, no matter how small the steps you have taken. People tend to compare themselves with others but remember that every path is different. Your achievements prove how much effort you have put in, and appreciating them will help to maintain your motivation. However, people often hide their weaknesses. What seems to be their ‘perfect life’ may actually have its own set of problems, which only makes your path all the more worthwhile to celebrate. 

RELATED READING: 11 Signs You Have The Greed Syndrome And How To Stop Being Greedy

6. Understand the spiritual side of envy

Even people who aren’t religious rarely have good words to say about envy. Ask around, and you might get an answer that says it’s one of those things listed in that old book of the ‘seven deadly sins’ and all that other stuff alongside anger, greed, laziness, pride, lust, and overeating.

On the other hand, envy is different. The other feelings are at least fun in a way. Anger can be quite enjoyable in some cases. Greed is fun when you are getting things. Staying in bed is fun until it’s not. Pride can give you a confidence boost. Lust, you know it well, no explanation needed. Overeating may cause guilt, but who wants to suffer when you can enjoy the food?

But envy? Not even close. It just hurts. There’s no pleasure, no excitement; it’s just an unpleasant sensation in the gut. It may make you feel resentful, inadequate, or lonely. But that’s also what makes it effective. There is no diversion, no quick fix. It highlights exactly what is missing or unresolved within you. If you understand this, envy will not have an impact on you. 

7. Believe in yourself

Envy makes you look within. It can be set off by someone’s success, or by how good they look, or how easy they have it, but the real issue is deeper; it’s about what you don’t believe about yourself, or what you believe about yourself. 

If you are spiritual, you can consider this as proof that you are unique and were created with love and a plan in mind. There is nothing wrong with you; you are simply waiting to become the person you are supposed to be. And if that doesn’t speak to you, think of it this way: You are a part of nature. Nobody ever questions the value of a tree or a river. You are just as much a part of nature as they are, and you are equally necessary.

Envy is something that can be a great motivator, and one should not be ashamed of it. It can be a sign telling you to go back to some of the parts of yourself you aren’t yet comfortable with.

Practical Strategies To Overcome Negative Envy – 5 Tips

Envy can be quite annoying, but there are better and easier ways to deal with it than dwelling on it. If you are looking for some practical, day-to-day tips that can help, you’ve come to the right place. These five tips are meant to provide you with some small changes in attitude and actions that could result in significant changes in how you cope with envy. Let’s break it down:

1. Reconnect with what’s working in your life

You can easily be distracted by people’s posts and their positive moments in life and not realize that you have your own positive things in your life as well. Why not try to put an end to the habit of scrolling, comparing, and wishing for once? You have your strengths and opportunities, and they are waiting for your appreciation. You have your voice, you have your own way. That’s not something that should be taken for granted – it’s something that should be protected.

2. Everyone’s got something they’re carrying

The belief that other people have it better than you is just an illusion. You are never in the full picture. You have your own mess, and so does everyone else. That doesn’t make you less; it just makes you real. And there is strength in being real. Life is not about winning some imaginary game. It is about learning to be okay, standing tall with the rough edges.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” – Robin Williams

3. Let other people’s wins lift you, not drain you

When someone else gets a great result, there are two ways to look at it: get envious or happy for them. Always choose the second one. It doesn’t take anything from you. Happiness is not a limited resource in the world. In fact, it might just be that celebrating others could help to bring a bit more joy into your own life.

4. Choose the company of people who live with depth

Some people just have that way of making you feel more grateful, more present, just calmer. Find them. They might not be loud, but they’re the ones who can see the good in ordinary moments. I say their presence isn’t performative, it’s peaceful. That kind of attitude, though, sticks. The more time you spend with people like that, the less noise you need to feel okay.

RELATED READING: How To Be More Grateful – 8 Simple Tips

5. Be aware of the manipulation machine

These days, advertising is based on one single principle: it always makes you believe that you are being left behind, that you need more, and that you lack something. Realize the trick. You are being encouraged to chase things that do not improve your life in any way. Every time you refuse the hook is the time you regain control.

Final Words

Envy is a tricky emotion, but it serves a purpose. It tells you what’s important to you – and what you think is missing. If you take the time to understand it, you can use it to grow. You can always turn envy into inspiration in your personal life or career. This journey is yours and every step you take is significant. Thus when envy shows up, don’t feel bad about it. Instead, ask yourself: What is this feeling trying to teach me? Then, use it to move forward.

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