How can I journal about jealousy without feeling ashamed of it?

Start by normalizing it. In today’s entry, try: 1) Name it: “I feel jealous,” and rate intensity 1–10. 2) Locate it: note body sensations (tight chest, hot face). 3) Facts vs. story: write the bare facts of what happened, then the story your mind added. 4) Values check: finish the sentence, “This matters to me because I value…” 5) Choose one response you’re proud of (e.g., congratulate them, practice for 15 minutes). This follows a Stoic move: acknowledge the impression, then choose your action. If you use the Stoic app, keep this as a short daily note so you can see jealousy soften over time.

What’s a Stoic way to handle it when a friend is better than me at work, and how do I reflect on that in my journal?

Use the control vs. not-in-my-control split. In your journal: 1) Two lists: Control (effort, practice plan, asking for feedback) and Not Control (their talent, timing, others’ opinions). 2) Write a 1–2 sentence intention only from the Control list. 3) Practice sympathetic joy: “I’m glad for their win because…” 4) Close with a one-line identity statement: “I’m someone who learns steadily.” This keeps comparison from driving your mood and brings you back to chosen actions—ideal for a quick Stoic entry after work.

How do I turn comparison into growth without burning out or overthinking?

Channel it into a tiny, values-led experiment. In your journal: 1) Clarify your why in one line (e.g., “I improve public speaking to share ideas clearly”). 2) Pick one micro-skill and a minimum dose (5 minutes/day). 3) Define a process metric (reps, minutes), not outcomes. 4) Pre-empt rumination: write one compassionate rule for setbacks (“Missed a day → resume tomorrow, no makeup marathons”). 5) End with a short note to your future self in Stoic to review next week. This reframes envy as data, sets guardrails against burnout, and keeps progress steady.

Journaling Idea - On the Good and the Better.

How do you feel and act when someone close to you is better at something than you are?

Are you jealous? Happy for your friend? Do you strive to be as good as this person?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Jul 24, 2024

Journal in Stoic

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Natalia Łobodzińska

Head of Content at stoic.

Natalia oversees all content inside the Stoic app — from guided journals to daily prompts. She works closely with therapists and writers to make sure every word helps users reflect and grow. She also manages translations to keep the experience thoughtful and consistent across languages.

How do you feel and act when someone close to you is better at something than you are?

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