Jealousy is embarrassing, but it’s honest. It’s pointing straight at something you want.

Jealousy feels shameful, which is why most people hurry to rename it: they got lucky, they had help, I never wanted that anyway. Underneath the discomfort it is doing something useful, because it only shows up around things you actually want. Boredom is the real signal of not caring. A sharp sting when someone else gets it is information about your own direction.

Next time it arrives, sit with it for a minute. Name the specific thing you envy, then ask what a first step toward it would look like. Keep the envy private and let the step be the part you act on.