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!

covetous

I would use the word 'wishing' as in that is what you want for yourself. Hope it all happens for you.

Yearning?

I was just going to suggest yearning.

Covet is most definitely negative.

longing for is probably what you mean

Yearning, craving, hankering.

Ah I like wishing. I wish on everything these days!

You don’t want your colleague’s babies, do you? You want your own. (One trusts.)

So I don’t think you are envious or jealous cos you don’t want what she’s got.

I’d put you down as hopeful and a bit crotchety with baby fever 😀

Jealous is when you have domething you dont want other people to have - 'he jealously guarded his treasure'. Envy is the painful feeling when you want something other people have.

Which is not really relevant to your painful feeling - you want your own thing - maybe yearning describes it better?

See that was pretty comprehensively covered whilst i was slowly typing!

The word jealous is mostly used in the wrong context.
You mean envious which isn't negative necessarily. I would say to a friend who has something fabulous that I would like that I am envious.
New house - envious
Holiday of a lifetime - envious
Won the lottery - envious.
Doesn't mean you're not happy for them.