What makes you envious of someone else’s life?

jackyann

I am not naturally an envious person, but many years ago I did find myself envying someone. She was a lovely kind person who worked hard and gave of herself to others. she also, at a time most of us were hard up, had inherited (from a very elderly great-uncle) enough money to buy a nice house. 6 months later, her new husband died suddenly.

So, once I had grieved for our friend, and offered the support I could to the widow, I made a philosophy that has stood me in good stead.
If I find myself envious, I wonder what I can do to get me whatever it is - if I am not prepared to do that, or simply can't, then I put it out of my mind.
I have made the most of what I have and count contentment as one of the greatest things in my life.

fluffnutter

suki1001 wrote: »

Plus sometimes I've been envious for example that my sister could get a mortgage, but now I have one I am not

A great example of the point I made.

Jinx

I envy those with true inner confidence - I give a great confident persona but dont feel it deep down.

I also feel a pang when a friend posts her latest holiday booking - that said Ive been and will go more great trips so its a small envy pang.

Aside from that I try to focus on the positives I already have

Cherry_Bomb

I envy those who genuinely enjoy their work.

I on the other hand clock watch and fantasise about locking my manager in the store cuboard, swallowing the key and not letting her out till nature takes its course.

One day.

Hermia

lika_86 wrote: »

I should maybe note that I know jealously isn't a positive thing (although I'm sure we all feel it sometimes) but I think envy is different.

I think envy can be positive depending how you use it. Envy can be that kick in the bum you need to change your life.

I envy people who don't care too much what people think and who seize the day. I envy those women who are the same age as me, but have done so much with their life. I don't mean making money or having a high-powered career, I mean those people who have just seized life with both hands and grabbed every opportunity. The good thing about those sort of people is that if you tell them how you feel they are the type to give you a pep talk.

Tiddlywinks

I don't envy people for the things (possessions) they have.

I envy people that still have their mums... I lost my mum a year ago when she died within a month of being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Eating out, ahopping, Mothers Day etc ... I sometimes see people with their mums and just wish it was me.

Sometimes you don't really appreciate what you have 'til it's gone.

midnightraven3

i envy my little 3 year old next door neighbour sooooooooooo much

she can whistle, proper whistle, whole tunes
try as i might, nothing
i ask her over the fence to whistle me songs

apart from that, i am pretty contented!

Own_My_Own

I envy people with well children. I see them doing things together as a family, and know I have never and will never be able to do those things with my son, who has asd.

I love him dearly, but it doesn't stop me being envious of what we don't have.


ETA - I now feel very guilty, because I should be grateful what we have.

Goldiegirl

It not envy as such, but I would like to be more like people who are confident in social situations and can make easy small talk.

coinxoperated

I envy people who are financially secure who don't seem to remember ever struggling to achieve.

I also envy people witth large close knit families. I've always felt extremely distant from mine.