Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone bad any tips or specific exercises regarding feelings of envy and jealousy?

I suffer with spectacularly low self esteem and am slowly working through this. I am finding it difficult lately watching people around me succeed in areas where I am seemingly not making progress. I get so envious and it causes me to have feelings of resentment, deep sadness and isolating loneliness.

I am always happy for them in practice, but can't help but ruminate over this when alone. I work so hard to achieve what I have and historically have been dismissed by mental health professionals due to being "so high functioning".

I know it isn't healthy and I am working hard to build my self esteem to counteract this. However I was wondering if any of you guys have tried and tested ways of coping with these feelings that you recommend?

For some further context/if you're nosey, I have always achieved high scores academically and in jobs, I always feel like a valued member of the team. I come from a very working class background and have often had to work twice as hard as my peers (who all come from wealthy backgrounds) just to stay afloat. I'm currently working on applying for jobs in the industry I would like to work in as a career and despite not being offered any positions, my feedback has always been that I am a very strong candidate, I should definitely apply again and that there was just an incredible amount of applicants. I am seeing my friends get their dream jobs with little effort or buy themselves lavish homes, holidays, gadgets and gizmos despite seemingly never holding down jobs. This in turn puts me into a cycle of self loathing ("I am just not good enough" etc).

I don't want to feel this way.

I am making progress with recovery. I am finally on a waiting list for a therapy service that I am excited to engage with as well as being proactive with the materials and coping mechanisms I learnt after a recent facility admission.

Anyone else deal with this? Anecdotes welcome! Any help is massively appreciated.

Stay strong,  y'all