Envy, that powerful emotion we are ashamed of
Don't lie, we all feel it, but won't admit it
Hey You,
yes, You reading this story, I'm sure you are familiar with the feeling.
Picture the scene:
it's a casual Sunday afternoon, a beautiful sunny day, you had lunch with your loved ones and decide to chill for a bit scrolling through your Instagram feed. (Oh, what a mistake that was.)
And the next thing you know, you get that familiar not so pleasant feeling as you see that one post.
You know what I'm talking about, don't try to be a bigger person.
All you can think about now is "I wanted that, too. It's not fair."
What you are feeling my friend has a name, and it’s envy.
The most simple definition of envy is: it's a feeling we have when we want something that another person has. It often manifests as this strong, almost painful, sensation in our bodies.
We all feel it
Don't be ashamed, we all feel it. We are humans, after all, it's somewhat normal.
That feeling of envy and the level of personal success are not connected, which means that successful people CAN feel envy as much as the "not so successful" ones.
Remember that next time you got that feeling scrolling through Instagram. Also, people you envy for something are likewise envious of someone else. It's a vicious circle in some weird way.
It's there for a reason
Like any other emotion we feel, envy has its place in our lives (like it or not).
There are some theories stating that envy had a key role in the emotional development of our species.
There is also this: envy is a strong motivator for some people. You can go from a procrastinator to a successful person in a jiffy just because you felt envy.
Let's picture another common situation: as you keep scrolling through your Instagram feed, you keep getting envious of profiles with a certain theme, let's say those are the people with jobs that are way more dynamic than yours.
Good job, you noticed your trigger profiles. Now let's do this. Keep a pen and paper next to you and write down profiles that make you feel bad and envious. Next to the profile name, write down WHY you feel the way you feel.
Did you notice some repetitions in that list? Do you strive to be THAT person or to have THOSE things?
If your answer is yes, maybe you can try creating those things and behaviors yourself so you stop being envious of them.
Let the envy guide you towards greater things for yourself.
Do something with it
Every emotion brings us some type of information, and it's up to us to figure out what it is trying to tell us.
Next time you feel envious try to answer this simple question: why do I feel envy of this person or this particular situation?
Instead of focusing on the person, focus on that thing, that experience, or that success that you want for yourself, and then think about how you can achieve it.
Yes, I know, it’s challenging to change established patterns overnight. As you work on them, try to make the process as simple as possible.
Specifically, try to temporarily reduce contact with people who make you feel bad, both online and offline.
Practice this approach gradually, and then (if you want) re-engage these people in your life, when you feel motivated and excited when you look at their success.
Guess what, and I will make it happen for myself!
Because if they can, so can you. Keep this in mind, always.
I got your back, don't worry.
About the Creator
Eleanor Annay
I wouldn't call myself a writer yet, but I'm getting there. I'm a creative soul enjoying writing and photography.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from Eleanor Annay and writers in Motivation and other communities.
How I got myself into reading more
I've never been an avid reader. To be honest, I've never really liked reading. Even in school, I did everything I could to pass the tests without actually reading the book. I would dare to say that I haven't read 65% of the books I should have, or I was expected to.
By Eleanor Annay5 years ago in Motivation
“The Man Who Never Missed a Day”
When I was 17, I met a man who delivered newspapers in the rain. Not in a casual, half-hearted way—but fully committed, every single morning. He would leave his house before sunrise, his coat soaked, shoes falling apart, and the wind cutting through him like a knife. Yet, despite the cold and wet, he smiled at everyone on his route. To a teenager like me, it was both confusing and inspiring. I remember the first time I saw him struggle with a bundle of papers that seemed almost too heavy for him. He slipped on the wet pavement, muttered something under his breath, and kept walking. When he reached the next house, he knocked on the door, handed over the paper, and smiled as the door closed. That smile was strange to me—it wasn’t pride or satisfaction, it was… calm. Almost peaceful. Curious, I approached him one morning. “Why don’t you take a day off when it’s so hard?” I asked, shivering in my hoodie as the rain soaked me through. He laughed, a deep, gravelly sound that didn’t sound annoyed, only knowing. “Son, nobody cares about today,” he said, shaking his head. “What matters is tomorrow. You build your life the same way: one small effort, every day, even when nobody notices.” At the time, I didn’t understand. My life felt urgent, like it had to explode with success immediately. I was chasing big ideas, jumping from project to project, leaving most half-finished. I thought motivation was everything—without the spark of inspiration, nothing mattered. The idea of showing up every single day, even when tired, even when bored, even when invisible, felt almost insane. I watched him for weeks. Rain or shine, he was there. I started noticing small details I hadn’t seen before—the careful folding of the papers, the way he adjusted his wet coat to protect the bundle, the extra minute he took to smile at a child running out to grab the paper. Every morning, the same ritual. Every morning, the same effort. And yet, nobody cheered. Nobody noticed. Years passed. I went to college, chasing my own “big dreams,” my own versions of instant success. I started businesses, abandoned them; learned new skills, stopped halfway; made promises to myself I couldn’t keep. I told myself I was working toward greatness, but mostly, I was chasing the idea of success, not the work itself. Motivation was my fuel, and when it ran out, I stopped moving. Meanwhile, the memory of that man stayed with me. The quiet diligence, the smile in the pouring rain. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he had already taught me the most important lesson: consistency matters more than talent, and persistence matters more than inspiration. Years later, I found myself struggling. A career path crumbled beneath me, a relationship ended badly, and my confidence had hit rock bottom. I remembered the man with the newspapers. I thought about how small, invisible efforts can be the hardest to trust—because results are not immediate, and recognition is not guaranteed. Yet, he had shown me that those small efforts accumulate, slowly but inevitably, into a life that cannot be ignored. I started experimenting with this principle myself. Every morning, I wrote 500 words for my stories—even when tired, even when uninspired. I practiced my skills quietly, without posting or sharing. I did the work not for applause, but because it mattered to the person I wanted to become. Some days, it felt like nothing was happening. Some days, I wanted to give up. But then I remembered the man with the newspapers, and I kept showing up. It didn’t take long before I started noticing changes. The words I wrote flowed better, ideas connected in ways they never had before. People began noticing my work. Small victories became more frequent, and my confidence started to rebuild. What had seemed like meaningless, invisible effort had quietly transformed my life. That man never became famous. He never went viral. He had no thousands of followers, no awards, no recognition. But every paper he delivered, every smile he shared, every step he took in the rain—it all mattered. Each day of consistent effort built a life he owned completely, a life he could be proud of. I realized then that success is not a moment. It is not a sudden flash of recognition or a single lucky opportunity. Success is the sum of the quiet, consistent decisions we make when no one is watching. It’s the choice to wake up when it’s easier to sleep. It’s the decision to work when it’s easier to scroll on your phone. It’s the effort we put in when the world doesn’t applaud. And the truth is simple: showing up every day is more powerful than talent, motivation, or luck. Talent fades. Motivation fluctuates. But showing up—every single day, rain or shine—creates results you cannot imagine. Just like the man in the rain, your efforts may not be recognized immediately. People may overlook them, circumstances may feel unfair, progress may seem invisible. But over time, the cumulative effect of your daily effort will speak for itself. One day, the world will notice. One day, your consistency will transform your life. So, start today. Don’t wait for motivation. Don’t wait for inspiration. Show up. Every day. One small effort. One action. One step at a time. Let your grind be louder than your excuses. Because the man who never missed a day wasn’t special. He was ordinary. But through persistence, he became unstoppable. And so can you.
By Ihtisham Ulhaq3 days ago in Motivation
Comments (1)
Hey when I searched my book on Google this popped up on the first page and although I'm not sure why that is, I want you to know I THOROUGHLY enjoy your writing style!