Transform Friendship Jealousy with These Three Questions
The 10 Commandments and Mean Girls had us judging jealousy for too long
Years ago, I would pen poetic musings—quick tidbits of wisdom that I called Simoneisms (creative, I know). Occasionally, I’d share those musings on social media, but for the most part, I was afraid to disclose those pieces of my heart consistently. Afraid of being judged. Afraid of being cast as a know-it-all. Afraid of someone thinking that my words were shallow or misguided or — worst — poorly written (*gasp*). So, despite my dream to curate the best of my ‘isms into a small coffee table read, I eventually stopped writing and sharing them altogether.
But there were countless other writers who didn’t. Women and men cropped up around this time who unabashedly and consistently showered the internet with their own musings and poetry.
The writers less talented than I instigated my confusion and contempt. And the ones vastly more gifted ignited my insecurities and self-doubt. I, of course, was jealous of them all.
Jealousy is a complex human emotion. One that speaks to our triggers, insecurities, and, less discussed, our below-the-surface desires. (Romantic jealousy is its own distinct flavor of jealousy — one that can be rooted in feelings of inadequacy…
