Why am I always envious?

[Butterfly1728]

I have, from an early age, feel envious towards others I perceive as “lucky” or have good fortune. As an example, I’ve just got married and it was a wonderful day albeit a little more low key and I’ve heard that our next door neighbours are getting married in a really posh location and I feel envy straight away.

It’s exhausting and I really want to stop these feelings but don’t know how!

That feeling of envy isn't something you were born with - were your mum or dad (or someone else in the family) envious of others or express dissatisfaction with their lives compared to others?

How do you feel when you hear of people NOT having things/experiences that you have?

I agree. Something happened at some point in the past.

I wonder if in some ways the feeling is your brain distracting and protecting you - for similar reasons some people over eat. For example, does all those things you feel dear to you feel safer if you think they’re less desirable and others won’t take them. Or do you feel disappointment when your special occasions are over as you’re no longer in the centre of events and you were ignored at lines in your youth.

ifs likely at some point, the adults you relied on were not attuned to your emotional needs and you’ve learnt this approach to protect yourself. But it’s no longer working as it’s now damaging your enjoyment of life.