Feeling Green with Envy: Unraveling the Psychological Tangles
- By Jens Schröder
- ~12 Min Read
When jealousy haunts us - and when it soars above us unchecked - When Jealousy Haunts Us - and When It Fuels Us Further
Emotions are the beating heart of our thoughts and actions, permeating our lives from the ground up. They tint our perspectives, our recollections, our predictions. Whilst we have some control over our emotions; we can, at times, engage in activities that bring us joy.
- Psychology
- Envy
Envy's Psychological Clutch
- Awkwardness and Irritation: Envy stems from a perception that places us at a disadvantage when evaluating ourselves against others. This can breed feelings of awkwardness and irritation, manifesting as anger, contempt, or sadness[1][2].
- Malevolent Intentions: Envy can instigate malevolent intentions, such as schadenfreude, i.e., deriving pleasure from others' misfortunes. This can weaken empathy and trust in relationships[1][5].
- Social Scrutiny: Envy escalates through social scrutiny, bolstered by social media that provides a stage for endless comparisons and competition. This can result in decreased well-being and heightened feelings of inadequacy[1][2].
- Hidden and Ashamed Feelings: Envy is typically seen as a shameful emotion, pushing individuals to mask it. This can result in lingering resentment and jealousy, which can impact mental health negatively[1].
- Relationship Strain: Like jealousy, envy can create tension in relationships by fostering distrust and resentment. It can provoke competitive behaviors and harm interpersonal bonds[1][4].
Actions and Thoughts in its Grip
- Competitive Stripe: Envy drives competitive behaviors, impelling individuals to vie for superiority over others. This can lead to a continuous cycle of comparison and dissatisfaction[2].
- Negative Reflections: Envy usually involves negative thoughts about oneself and others, which can trigger rumination and reinforce feelings of inadequacy[1].
- Social Distancing: Envy can lead to social withdrawal when individuals feel they cannot compete with others. This isolation can intensify feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction[2].
- Damaging Actions: In extreme cases, envy can inspire destructive actions aimed at disparaging others, such as sabotage, gossip, or impinging on their happiness[1].
Ultimately, envy can exert significant psychological influence, adversely affecting personal well-being and relationships unless nurtured constructively.
- Jens Schröder delves into the realm of psychology, specifically focusing on the emotional turmoil called envy in his 12-minute read titled "Feeling Green with Envy: Unraveling the Psychological Tangles."
- Envy, a pervasive emotion, generates feelings of awkwardness and irritation when we compare ourselves to others, sometimes manifesting as anger, contempt, or sadness.
- Psychological studies show that envy can foster malevolent intentions, such as deriving pleasure from others' misfortunures, eroding empathy and trust in relationships.
- Envy's hidden and ashamed feelings can lead to lingering resentment and jealously, potentially having a negative impact on one's mental health.
