How to Cope with Jealous Feelings
1. Understand what jealousy is. Itâs a mixture of fear and anger â usually the fear of losing someone whoâs important to you, and anger at the person who is âtaking overâ. Recognise that itâs a destructive and negative emotion - and often nothing good comes out of it.
2. Try and figure out why youâre feeling jealous. Is it related to some past failure that is undermining your ability to trust? Are you feeling anxious and insecure? Do you suffer from low self-esteem or fear of abandonment?
3. Be honest with yourself about how your jealousy affects other people. Do friends or partners always have to justify their actions and thoughts, or always report on where they were, or who they were with? That kind of pressure is destructive in the end and puts a strain on relationships.
4. Find the courage to tackle your feelings. Decide to question your jealousy every time it surfaces. That will enable you to take positive steps to manage your feelings in a healthier and more constructive way. Some possible questions to ask yourself include: âWhy am I jealous about this?â; âWhat exactly is making me feel jealous?â; âWhat or who am I afraid of losing?â; âWhy do I feel so threatened?â