Jealousy is a natural emotion for humans to experience.
It can strike at any time without any signs or warnings.
While it’s commonly believed that jealousy is the same as envy, there is a stark difference.
This, in turn, can lead you tobecome sick from jealousyor feelinsecure in your relationship.
Experts say that it’s possible for you to transform jealousy into a positive learning experience.
But what about envy?
This is a different emotion.
Envy stems from wanting something you don’t have.
However, there are two types of envy: benign and malicious.
As their name suggests, one is harmless, the other not so much.
This could be a job promotion, a skill, and so on.
Benign and malicious envy are similar emotions that can cause someone to feel negative about themselves.
Licensed therapist Deborah Vinall explained toWell+Goodwhy this works.
“When you are secure, others' success is not threatening,” she said.
“you could both desire to have what they have while feeling genuinely happy for them.”
Malicious envy is synonymous with self-doubt
Unlike benign envy, malicious envy can be self-destructive.
This leads to feelings of bitterness and rancor.
Deborah Vinall told Well+Good that malicious envy is more likely to occur if an individual already lacks self-confidence.
This can ultimately ruin relationships and lead the envious individual to their downfall.
