Is There Such A Thing As Positive Jealousy?

Is there anything we can call positive jealousy? Jealousy is part of our human condition. There are millions of references to it, and it has always been considered one of the most destructive forces of our existence.

In biblical mythology, jealousy is what breaks the brotherhood between Cain and Abel, the first pair of brothers in religious history. In Greek mythology, there is a battle of jealousy that sparks the Trojan War.

In the same way, in every culture there is a myth or legend that refers to jealousy in its several facets. Sometimes it manifests itself as envy, other times as excessive suspicion or fear. In general, it is considered a negative feeling which should therefore be avoided.

It’s hard to imagine a human being who has never been jealous at least once. It is almost impossible to go through life without experiencing the betrayal of envy or revenge of amorous suspicion. Sometimes very intense and other times not so much.

These feelings give fear of losing your loved one and leave a narcissistic wound. This is not a pleasant experience at all.

Couples feel jealous of each other. Siblings, friends and colleagues feel jealous of each other. Despite the bad name of this emotional reaction, it is worth asking a specific question.

Could jealousy have a positive side? Where is the positive aspect that all negative emotions should have? The truth is that envy often occurs as a sign of an individual’s mental health.

The following situations described may explain what we are talking about.

Positive jealousy: it is positive when it serves as a warning

Say someone decided they wanted to steal your girlfriend. In theory, you should not feel insecure in those cases, as this would only mean distrust of yourself or your relationship.

But in practice it is difficult not to feel a little fear under these conditions. In this case, jealousy serves as a danger sign.

Some people even go so far as to take advantage of a weakness or a difficult time that your  relationship  may go through. Sometimes they are inspired by a real attraction to the person who is already in a committed relationship.

Other times, they just want to show or prove to others that they can take something loved by another. Or to acquire an affiliation that today belongs to you.

Being jealous in these cases is completely understandable and healthy. It turns on your warning lights to defend your territory and your love.

Any of us can lose a loved one or an object due to carelessness. In this case, being jealous can point out this possibility and give you the energy needed to do whatever it takes to prevent this loss.

Remember that it is not surprising that you have something that others may want. It does not make these other people bad, nor does it make you a victim of some kind of ploy. You can only have a position or a kind of privilege that triggers envy.

The downside is when someone tries to take what is yours. If you have objective evidence that this is happening, it is obvious that jealousy will appear.

In this case, it reflects an attitude of caution towards the things you consider yours and which are threatened. It’s positive because it makes you defend what’s yours.

Positive jealousy: When you are not feeling well and someone is bragging about their well-being

This type of situation reflects immaturity, but it does not make it any less annoying. It happens when you are going through a difficult time and someone decides to brag about their success in front of you. Under such circumstances, it is normal for you to find it difficult to be happy with them.

There is a difference between sharing the news of one’s success and bragging about it. The difference is what can make you uncomfortable.

Here, jealousy is an obvious response to an attitude that you consider offensive. No one forces you to stop being happy just because you are unhappy.

But it is also not considerate of anyone to point out something to make you uncomfortable. In any case, it is a feeling that you should not pay much attention to.

Do not feed it, because it is not worth it. Also, do not feel bad because you are experiencing it. It is simply human.

Positive jealousy: When you are deliberately ignored

This can happen in a relationship, with your family, or anywhere. We talk about when you perceive that your feelings are ignored or do not get their reasonable value.

For example, when your better half mentions how attractive another person looks. Or when you participate in a team project, and your efforts are not recognized, but the efforts of your employees are.

In this case, jealousy is a discomfort that occurs because you feel underestimated. It’s a conflict because you have to be given the important place you think you deserve. You need your value to be fair.

Do not ignore this discomfort, but do not magnify it either. Jealousy can simply indicate that you feel uncomfortable with this agreement.

In any case, the most important thing is not to let your jealousy grow incessantly. You should also not let it control and determine your behavior. This can cause a lot of damage.

While it can be positive jealousy in many circumstances, do not forget that jealousy can also be your worst enemy if you do not know how to deal with it.