Jealousy. the fear of loss

Differentiating Envy and Jealousy

Although often used synonymously, envy and jealousy are distinct emotions.

Envy is an emotion of two: I want what you have.

Jealousy, on the other hand, is an emotion of three: I am afraid of losing someone I value (my partner, a friend) to a third person (a real or imagined rival).

Envy focuses on the lack of something you don't have, while jealousy focuses on the fear of losing something you already have.

The Roots of Jealousy

At its core, jealousy is a manifestation of fear. It is the fear of abandonment, betrayal, and being replaced.

Often, this fear is fueled by personal insecurities and low self-esteem.

The jealous person doubts their own worth and fears that they are not good enough to retain the affections of their loved one.

The Rationality of Jealousy

As with any emotion, it is crucial to evaluate the rationality of our jealousy.

Is it based on real evidence of a threat to the relationship, or is it a product of our own insecurities and jumping to conclusions? The mind, hijacked by fear, can misinterpret ambiguous situations and construct catastrophic scenarios.

Emotional intelligence requires us to pause and examine the facts before allowing ourselves to be drawn into a spiral of irrational jealousy.

Constructive Management of Jealousy

If, after honest reflection, we conclude that our jealousy is irrational, the work involves strengthening our