Why isn't there a word that means jealous but isn't negative?

[tisthedamnseasons]

I had to walk by all the beautiful baby Christmas clothes while going to the loo in M&S and my heart just aches for the chance to have my own baby.

My closest colleague is the same age as me and has done everything 'right' and has two beautiful children. I am jealous of her. I do want what she has. But jealous is such a horrible word!

Isn't Envious a much nicer way of saying jealous?

Yup, envious is the word you’re looking for.

Envious?

Envy?

I thought envy was just the same!

But isn't 'Envy' a sin? Therefore, a negative connotation?

Envious means you'd like to have something someone else has and is the word you want. Very painful

Jealous in fact means something else, that you think others are after something you have.

Yes, envy is wishing you had what someone else has, or stuff you can't afford. Jealousy is wanting them to not have it, or you have it instead.

Envy is wistful, jealousy is spiteful.

Yes I was thinking envious was biblical too.

Envy is pretty bad as well.

You want jealousy but without resentment. You're jealous but you don't resent the other person their happiness. I don't know what that word is though.

Covertous……. As in, you covert what she has……

Yearning

Yes! Exactly.

Oh yearning feels better.

Oh yes, you're right. Jealous is more protective and fearful of someone getting what you've got.

Whatever the word, I really feel for you, OP. It must be so difficult.

Longing. To feel a longing for something.

I hope everything works out for you OP.

I agree
We need a word that acknowledges that witnessing what somebody else has alerts you to what you really want

The word jealous seems to shame us for having identified that.

Maybe next year will be the year. Thank you.

To covet something, covetous

Inspired?

I was going for longing too.

I've been where you are OP. Exactly.

Longing and yearning and grieving and fearful and lonely and hopeful.

Being called jealous or envious, even by yourself, is to diminish the legitimacy of what you feel.

"inspired admiration" or "positive envy."

aww yeah this.

Jelly/jel instead of jealous🙈