What is Jealousy Teaching You?
What is jealousy teaching you?
“I am jealous. No, I am not jealous.”
Ever caught yourself questioning how someone else landed the job, the opportunity, or the position before you? That feeling—jealousy—what is it really teaching us? Can it be healthy? I believe it can be both.
As a Simple Girl, we often feel brilliantly underestimated. We pour time, effort, and passion into ourselves and our businesses, only to watch others, who may not have put in the same grind, get the spotlight. It’s emotionally frustrating! And it’s real. But society has conditioned us to believe that jealousy is something to be ashamed of—that feeling it makes us bitter, weak, or even a bad person.
I disagree.
Let’s define the word jealous from web perspective:
“Jealous is an adjective that describes a feeling of resentment, insecurity, or suspicion about the possibility of losing something valuable—such as a relationship, status, or possession—to someone else. It can also refer to being envious of another person’s success, advantages, or qualities.”
To me jealously can be a mirror. Jealousy, when understood, can be a powerful guide. It’s a mirror reflecting what we truly desire. It’s not always about wanting what someone else has—it’s about recognizing a longing within ourselves. Here are some questions we should ask ourselves when you start to feel this emotion. Why does this bother me? What does this person’s success highlight about my own journey? Am I doing the work necessary to get where I want to be?
Jealousy can be an opportunity for deep self-awareness. Instead use it as a signal, a push to refocus, re-strategize, and step up. Maybe it’s a reminder that we need to take more risks. Maybe it’s a wake-up call that we’ve been playing small. Either way, it’s an invitation to shift sh*t around.
Instead of sitting in jealousy, decide how you can be part of something greater than the mood you’re in. We all experience moments of envy, but what separates those who stay stuck from those who level up is one SIMPLE truth:
It’s not them—it’s you!
Instead of wasting energy feeling left out, get strategic about how to get in the room. Do you need to sharpen your skills? Expand your network? Show up differently? Because the truth is, the people you admire weren’t always at the table either—they found a way to get there. And so can you.
Or better yet? Build your own damn table.
One of the biggest triggers of jealousy today? Social media.
I’ve learned that sometimes, stepping away from social media is necessary. It breeds so many emotions—comparison, insecurity, self-doubt. It creates a false narrative, showing only the highlight reel of other people’s lives while making us question our own journey. If we aren’t careful, it can turn us into mean girls—resentful, bitter, and stuck in a cycle of envy.
But here’s the thing: Jealousy is natural. It’s how you allow it to guide you!
You can let it consume you, or you can let it inspire you. You can let it turn you into someone fueled by negativity, or you can use it as a compass—pointing you toward your next level, guiding you toward your North Star.
At the end of the day, we all experience jealousy or envy. It’s human. The difference is how we harness it. Do we let it destroy us, or do we let it refine us?
So next time you feel that feeling of envy, don’t shrink. Don’t mope. Shift!
Because Simple Girls don’t panic—we pivot.
Now, figure out how to position yourself at the table or build your own!
-XOXO Simple Girl