Jealousy

Hello, I am Jealousy. People sometimes think of me as a monster, but I'm really a messenger. I am that tight, hot feeling you get in your stomach when you see your best friend laughing at a sleepover you weren't invited to. I arrive with a flood of questions in your head: 'Are they having more fun without me? Do they like their new friend more than me?' I show up when something you care deeply about—a friendship, a spot on the team, or even your place in the family—feels threatened. I'm just here to tell you that something important to you feels like it might be slipping away.

At first, I can make you want to do things you might regret, like saying something mean or giving someone the silent treatment. But that is just my initial alarm bell. If you listen more closely, I am really asking you to figure out what is going on inside you. I can push you to talk to your friend and say, 'Hey, I felt left out when I saw pictures from the sleepover.' Instead of letting me build a wall between you and your friend, you can use me as a reason to build a stronger bridge. I can teach you about what you value most and help you learn to communicate your feelings, turning a moment of insecurity into an opportunity for honesty and a closer friendship.