How to Stop Being Jealous of Your Friends

Jealousy only makes you feel bad about yourself.

It's understandable to feel jealous of your friends if you're feeling down and out and you see that they have things you don't. But jealousy will only serve to cause animosity and resentment, which could break apart your friendships. You need to find a different perspective on your friends' good fortune or achievement.

Instructions

1. Always think of the big picture. Just because your friends have something you don't, doesn't mean their lives are perfect. You might have something they're jealous of. For example, they might be prettier than you, but maybe you come from a more stable home. So comparing yourself to your friends would not be fair.

2. Remember that sometimes people get lucky breaks in life. Maybe your friend had an advantage, like getting a great job because her parents knew someone. It's not your fault if others got lucky while you suffered some setbacks. You have to believe that your time will come too.

3. Try to be genuinely happy for the things your friends have. Flip the situation around and feel happy for your friends instead of jealous. When you appreciate the good that others have, it opens the door for you to also receive good things.

4. To truly end jealousy, you need to be satisfied and happy with what you have in life. Make a list of all the things that you have or the people in your life that make you feel lucky. Then be grateful for each and every one of those things. Tell yourself that you have everything that your life needs. You might even find that the friends you were jealous of end up on that list of things to be thankful for.

Tips & Warnings

• Never compare yourself to your friends. Remember that you are unique, and comparing yourself to them is like comparing apples to oranges.

References

• Marie Claire: 5 Ways to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others