Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Hey jealousy

My mother once gave me a piece of advice: Pay attention to what you're jealous of because it will tell you what is important to you.

When I find myself feeling jealous, I try to take that jealousy and turn it into a goal.

Jealous of friends who get to travel? Save your pennies and plan a trip. Jealous of teachers when you interview them for education stories? Go back to school, girl, because you clearly can't get enough of it. Jealous of other writers? WRITE. That one got all caps.

And here's another thing: Every life has its burdens including the lives of those on the receiving end of your jealousy. Do I need to bring up Heidi and Seal? Because I will bring up Heidi and Seal. Those two crazy kids really seemed to have it all...

I guess I'm writing this post as a reminder to myself that jealousy can be positive. It can show you your priorities and therefore show you what you really need to be prioritizing. That said, I think any body-hating jealousy is just socialized in us as women from a very early age and is in no way positive. So ignore that. Breathe through it. Quote Ani to yourself. But being jealous of someone's job or travels or creative stick-to-it-ness? I think that can be clarifying. You want it? Make a plan and go out and get it.

In unrelated news, our owl now has pineapple hair. It's pretty awesome.


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33 comments:

  1. TeddiMarch 27, 2012 at 7:14 PM

    i'd never thought of jealousy that way. your mom is wise. :) cute pineapple hair owl too.

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  2. JuanetteMarch 27, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    Omg get out of my head! This was such an awesome message to turn a potential negative into a positive, I loves!

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  3. tiarenieMarch 27, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    i love this post, its a great way to look at jealousy! hopefully i can use this advice "in the moment".. cute pineapple!

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  4. JazzMarch 27, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    I use to grow pineapples in the backyard when I lived in Florida! Takes a loooong time, but so worth it. The best pineapple I've ever tasted!

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  5. AnonymousMarch 27, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    I should quote Ani alot more in my life! She's the best.

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  6. LizzieMarch 27, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    Yay for mom's great advice!

    I adore that owl. so stinkin cute! :)

    xo
    Lizzie
    placeclevertitlehere.blogspot.com

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  7. danielle p.March 27, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    i love owls! this is adorable!

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  8. Forest City FashionistaMarch 27, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    That was a very cool post; your Mom knows what she's talking about. Mmmmmmm, fresh pineapple!

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  9. ShybikerMarch 27, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    I like your blog! Your fashion-sense is fun and your other posts (e.g., flowers) are interesting. I'm stickin' around!

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  10. CharmaineMarch 27, 2012 at 10:27 PM

    This is such great, positive advice! Thanks for sharing :).

    Charmaine xx

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  11. MelanieMarch 27, 2012 at 10:30 PM

    What's that old adage? Never judge until you've walked a mile in the other person's shoes? - especially if they're stilettos! And I think jealousy comes from judging too positively. It's easy to forget that we only see the parts of someone's life they want us to see - we all have closets full of stuff, some of which we wear, some of which we don't. I like your take on jealousy.

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  12. Thrifted ShiftMarch 27, 2012 at 11:03 PM

    I love that you've written about solving the jealousy problem, Seal, teachers, and Ani. Excellent post. I enjoyed it very much and will think about it the next time I feel myself turning green. Thank you.
    --TS

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  13. Brittany SimsMarch 28, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    Wow, that brilliant! I shall keep that advice! :)

    ~Brit
    www.brittany-sims.com

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  14. ConnieMarch 28, 2012 at 2:36 AM

    Your mom is a wise owl for sure. I'm going to borrow that advice and give it to my children AND myself. <3

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  15. lucia mMarch 28, 2012 at 2:40 AM

    love the it!!! :D

    www.aroundlucia.com
    www.aroundlucia.com

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  16. Sarah JaneMarch 28, 2012 at 3:08 AM

    Wise words from your mum!

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  17. FashionCherryMarch 28, 2012 at 4:35 AM

    Well done on this post, it really rang a bell in me, its so true! When we envy someone it IS usually because we want something that they have ;-) its a great way to motivate ourselves to achieve positive things !

    http://fashioncherry.co/hm-to-offer-a-luxury-label/

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  18. Miss Simmonds SaysMarch 28, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    what sage advice, I should do more to sort out my jealousy

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  19. MicaMarch 28, 2012 at 7:24 AM

    Very wise advice! And cute owl! :)


    AwayFromTheBlue.blogspot.com.au

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  20. SamMarch 28, 2012 at 7:38 AM

    Brilliantly said...loved the first line, I never thought of jealously that way

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  21. EmmylouMarch 28, 2012 at 8:14 AM

    This is a great way to deal with the green-eyed monster. We all kinda fall prey to it sometimes, so I agree that it's a great way to set goals for yourself:)

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  22. CurtiseMarch 28, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    That's an interesting way to look at jealousy, I had always seen it as an entirely negative, unhelpful emotion. Good thinking! xxx

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  23. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 10:57 AM

    This is so insightful. I'm really glad you posted and reminded me today...I'm going to spend some time writing poetry tonight, actually, and when it doesn't go well I often fall into that trap of reading my fav poets and just feeling miserable and stupid and envious that it comes "easy" to them. But I'm going to channel that energy into perfecting my own craft tonight :)

    Also, your owl is darling.

    <3 Cambria
    jupefashion.blogspot.com

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  24. JessicaMarch 28, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    Great perspective, I never thought of it that way. Thanks for sharing that, and your owl is SO CUTE. ;)

    xx Jessica

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  25. FashionistableMarch 28, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    Beautifully written. A lovely positive slant on jealousy. OK only if seen in this light. Xxxx

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  26. Dee {Strings and Buttons}March 28, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    Very true and sometimes it's easy to lose track of the positive. I love that because it proves you can do whatever you set your mind to. Thanks for the reminder x

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  27. VixMarch 28, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    Your Mother is very wise, that makes a lot of sense. I've never though of jealousy as having a positive outcome. x

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  28. A Very Sweet BlogMarch 28, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    This is beautiful! I look at people that have more and say what can I do to achieve that. Excellent advice you give! MAKE A PLAN
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  29. Nikki | The Ginger DiariesMarch 29, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    Okay, the switch to the ownl was hilarious, haha. You are actually right, you get nowhere beeing just jaleous. Making goals and a plan to reach them does! x

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  30. Emily PeeblesMarch 30, 2012 at 7:40 PM

    Jealousy can indeed be crippling if you don't channel it into a positive emotion. You always give such good advice! Thank you for sharing!

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  31. StaceyApril 1, 2012 at 12:40 AM

    This is such a great way to think of jealousy, and it really rings true.

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  32. Lydia ArmstrongApril 2, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    This is really stellar advice. For reals.

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  33. shaktiApril 4, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    That's really great advice. I think I'll pass it along to some teens I know...

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