Do You Understand the Nuance Between Jealousy and Envy?
One can help guide our yearnings, the other may fuel our negative psychology
Both jealousy and envy are normal human emotions. While we often use them interchangeably, subtle but powerful differences exist between them.
Neither are emotions we want to encourage. In fact, envy is one of the seven sins - not that I’m religious. If we are honest with ourselves, when we feel these emotions, we can use them to deepen our self-awareness and redirect our lives toward greater happiness.
I’m not afraid to tell you that I’ve been envious of some friends and jealous of others. I understand there is a certain amount of shame in admitting this, but I recognise my experiences are commonplace; we just aren’t encouraged to talk about these emotions.
I’ve learned to detect envy in others. It’s the little barbed comments that are the giveaway. Schadenfreude can also be a clear indication of envy.
Jealousy versus envy
According to an article in Very Well Mind, this is the distinction between jealousy and envy.
“Envy is a desire for something ano…