Jealousy.That old green-eyed monster. We’ve all felt it before and it’s not a great feeling. Whether it’s being jealous of a friend’s new car or your partner’s ex, jealousy is an emotion we could all do without. Even though it’s a normal human emotion, it can be really destructive if you let it get out of control.
That’s why I wanted to write this article on how to deal with jealousy in a relationship. I’m not a therapist or anything, but I’ve learned a few things over the years that have helped me manage my jealousy. So, let’s get started!
Here are a few ‘quick-look’ tips:
Acknowledge your feelings.
The first step to dealing with jealousy is to acknowledge that you’re feeling it. Don’t try to suppress your feelings or pretend they’re not there.
Identify the source of your jealousy.
Once you’ve acknowledged your feelings, try to identify the source. Is it something specific that your partner did or said? Or is it something deeper, like your own insecurities?
Talk to your partner.
If your jealousy is based on something specific that your partner did or said, it’s important to talk to them about it. Communication is key in any relationship, and it’s especially important when you’re feeling the ‘green-eyed monster’.
Practice self-care.
When you’re feeling jealous, it’s important to take care of yourself. This means doing things that make you feel good, like spending time with friends, exercising, or doing something creative.
Challenge your negative thoughts.
When you’re feeling ‘it’, your mind might start to race with negative thoughts. It’s important to challenge these thoughts and replace them with more positive ones.
Seek professional help if needed.
If you’re struggling to deal on your own, don’t hesitate to seek professional help [1]. A therapist can help you understand the root cause and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
I hope these ‘quick-peek’ tips help you deal with jealousy in a relationship however read on for more in depth look. Remember, you’re not alone. Everyone feels jealous sometimes, but it doesn’t have to control you.
Acknowledge your feelings of jealousy
We’ve all felt it – the pangs of envy, the twinge of jealousy. It’s normal to experience these feelings as a relationship progresses, and it’s important to acknowledge them rather than sweep them under the rug. After all, successes or failures in relationships usually start with honest conversations!
Rather than letting jealousy fester in silence and simmering resentment, address it head on with your partner. It may be uncomfortable at first, but doing so can help bring clarity and progress the relationship in a healthier direction.
Talk to your partner about what is making you jealous and why
Feeling jealous in a relationship isn’t uncommon, but it can chisel away at trust fuelling insecurity and affecting intimacy between you and your partner. If you catch yourself swept up into these thoughts try to talk to your partner about it – although this may not be the easiest conversation, it could be beneficial in the long run.
You can explain what is making you green-eyed and why, so that your partner can have a better understanding of where your feelings come from. Though difficult at times, communicating through moments of jealousy is important to maintain harmony between both parties within the relationship.
Don’t try to control your partner or their behavior
It’s important to recognize that trying to control your partner or their behavior never solves anything. It only serves to create further resentment and frustration, not to mention a breeding ground for arguments.
Instead of exerting your energy on controlling others, why not try to focus on building the kind of trust, respect, and understanding that will help foster the strongest foundations for your relationship?
Unless you’re an evil villain with mind-control powers haha, attempting to control another person’s choices will almost always backfire and doesn’t make much sense anyway – after all, aren’t you supposed to be in a relationship with them because you like them just as they are?
Trust is essential in any relationship
Building trust in a relationship can sometimes be a challenge, but it is one of the most vital elements. It might take a lot of time and effort to feel secure in your relationship, not letting jealousy cloud your judgment.
Even if doubts arise, it’s essential to talk about them openly and honestly with your partner, so you both understand that the trust is solid. Check in with each other that is how to deal with jealousy in a relationship – appreciate each other, spend quality time together, have honest dialogue and have each others backs.
It may help to think of trust as something that needs to be kept alive over time – just like any other important element in a relationship!
Be honest with yourself and your partner
Mastering the art of dealing with jealousy within a relationship isn’t easy but it all starts with being honest – both with yourself and your partner. We all feel jealous at some time or another, so instead of burying those feelings and letting them fester be brave enough to admit them and take steps to address the issue.
Make sure your partner knows your feelings without laying blame – it’s a far more effective way of managing these delicate emotions!
Jealousy can be a sign of insecurity
Jealousy isn’t something that will just go away with a snap of the fingers – it usually has deeper roots. Although it is important to find ways to address the triggers behind why we feel jealous, it can also be beneficial to take proactive steps to loving yourself.
Fostering more self-esteem and trusting in ourselves often leads us to naturally be less jealous – so if you feel like your relationships are suffering from a bit too much jealous energy, now may be the time to start working on stronger psychological foundations for yourself!
Unpacking jealousy
Unpacking jealousy can often feel like trying to divvy up the pieces of a puzzle without seeing the big picture. We’ve all been there, trying to make sense of our feelings and hormones that seem to be overtaking us at any given moment.
The key to understanding jealousy is recognizing its various forms, such as its purpose or the source of our suffering. Knowing what makes you jealous can help you come to terms with your own thoughts and actions, allowing for smoother sailing in more intimate relationships!
How to process jealousy
Jealousy can be an unsettling feeling – and it’s one that we all have to deal with at some point in life. While it may not seem like the most pleasant process, there are ways to confront your feelings and put them in their place.
First of all, take a step back and consider why you’re feeling this way: is there something that happened recently? Did someone do something that made you feel insecure or left out? Once you’ve identified what’s causing the issue, you can work on talking about it openly and honestly.
It can also help to explore different ways to cope with these jealous emotions such as writing out your thoughts and feelings or talking to your partner about it. Ultimately, jealousy is often rooted in our own sense of insecurity or lacking self-confidence; taking steps towards working on those issues can be the secret in helping us learn how to manage successfully.
How to address jealousy
When it comes to dealing with jealousy, many of us think of it like a mountain we just can’t seem to climb. It can be an emotionally exhausting experience that’s difficult to conquer. The answer to addressing and managing this behavior lies within you.
Explore your insecurities and identify why you are feeling jealous. Once the root cause is identified, work towards improving self-confidence. While understanding that believing in yourself is worth more than any perceived triumphs or accomplishments of those who evoke a sense of envy.
Be open to seeking help, whether it’s therapy or talking to friends and family, so you can learn effective strategies for managing such feelings as they occur throughout life.
How to control jealousy
Learning to control jealousy can be a lifelong challenge, and we all have different ways of managing it. One strategy is to find new sources of self-worth outside of the situation that’s causing you to feel jealous.
Reminding yourself to live an authentic life can give you the confidence boost you need to restore balance. Additionally, communicating your concerns with maturity and respect will help move the conversation towards a healthier outcome.
Practicing meaningful self-care like journaling, exercising, or engaging in a creative activity will also help calm the mind and body. Everyone experiences jealousy, but learning how to manage it can help us take back our power without letting it define us.
How to portray jealousy
Dealing with jealousy can often feel like trudging through a thick bog — it’s tiring, paralyzing, and it’s hard to know which way to go. It’s no wonder that so many of us have difficulty showing our emotions in healthy way.
However, one way to portray your ‘feelings’ is by being brave enough to confront them directly. Whether it’s bringing up the topic with a friend or expressing your feelings through creative outlet , there are plenty of ways to work on embracing those emotions and gradually reducing their power over you. In this way, the green-eyed monster can be used as a tool for personal growth and understanding.
Conclusion
Learning how to deal with jealousy in a relationship is understanding that the tricks and tips on managing it can help bring couples closer together. From prioritizing honest and open communication to finding proactive solutions that suit both partners, it’s possible to take ownership of and navigate your envy-related issues.
Remember—don’t be too hard or judgmental on yourself when feeling jealous or insecure. Just keep showing up and attempting to retrain your thought patterns, little by little. With time, patience and enough effort, you’ll be able to cultivate a lasting and loving relationship with your significant other while still being mindful of the triggers that worsen your negative feelings.
If all else fails, staying under water and counting to 10 works too but be sure to let them up for air if they struggle too much haha
Charlie
Charlene is a published author/writer who has embarked on a personal journey, with the hope of providing guidance, support and advice to all who may need it.