Welcome back to our October Shadow Work series! So far, we've explored the triggers that others hold up as mirrors, the parts of ourselves we hide, and the heavy weight of shame and resentment. This week, we're diving into an emotion that is often seen as petty and undesirable, yet holds some of the most profound clues about our unacknowledged desires: jealousy.
Our journal prompt for today is: "When was the last time I felt jealousy? What did it reveal about my hidden desires?"
Jealousy is a powerful signal. It's that sharp, uncomfortable pang you feel when someone else has something you want—a successful career, a loving relationship, a confident personality, or a creative talent. It’s easy to dismiss this feeling as a fleeting negative emotion, but in the world of shadow work, we see it as a gold mine of information. Jealousy isn’t just about wanting what someone else has; it's about the parts of ourselves that yearn for those same things but are being held back by fear, limiting beliefs, or a sense of unworthiness.
Think about the last time you felt a genuine surge of jealousy. Was it when a friend got a promotion at work? A family member announced they were getting married? An acquaintance posted a picture of their stunning vacation? Now, peel back the layers and ask yourself: what is the core desire behind that envy?
The jealousy of a friend's promotion might not be about the job itself, but about a hidden desire for recognition, competence, or a sense of purpose that you feel is lacking in your own life. The jealousy of a loved one's relationship could be a yearning for deeper connection, intimacy, or security that you're afraid to pursue. The envy of someone’s creative talent might be a cry from your own "golden shadow"—that part of you that holds immense creativity but has been suppressed for years.
The true magic of this practice is that it reframes jealousy from a source of shame into a compass for your life. Instead of focusing on the person who triggered you, you can turn your attention inward and ask: "Why is this so important to me? What do I truly want that I'm not allowing myself to have? How would this make my life better? How would me getting what I desire make others' lives better?"
This work is not about becoming a carbon copy of the person you're jealous of. It's about using their life as a roadmap to your own buried desires. The Universe will only show you things that are possible for you, so if you are seeing it, it’s in the realm of possibilities. By acknowledging your jealousy and the hidden yearnings beneath it, you are giving yourself permission to want those things. You are liberating the energy that has been tied up in suppression and can now consciously direct it toward building a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.
This week, let’s be brave enough to sit with our discomfort and use it as a guide. Jealousy is not a sign of your brokenness; it’s a signpost to your unlived potential. By embracing this truth, you can transform envy into inspiration and begin to create a life that no longer sparks jealousy in others, but a profound sense of authenticity within yourself.
If you want more tips and support, find me on TikTok, find me on TT:@ starseedsarah. Let's continue this journey to balance and purpose, and let our energy show what we choose to focus on – success, love & courage!
Thank you for supporting my family through affiliate links, by checking out some of my favorite things (my hubby says I have too many favs 😂).
0 Comments