The last couple of days, I’ve been bingeing on White Lotus, a dark comedy on HBO about a bunch of privileged folks on holiday. The characters are flawed and unlikeable, yet there’s something that hooks you. ( Also, Jennifer Coolidge is terrific in it)
My favorite characters would be Shane and Rachel Patton, a newly married couple excited to be on their honeymoon. Unfortunately, it’s not a great start as they discover upon check-in that they can’t get the grandest room they originally booked— The Pineapple Suite.
Shane can’t seem to let go of the situation, which starts to destroy the entire mood. He has an ocean view but wants THE PINEAPPLE SUITE. It eats him up. He even gets jealous of the couple that could be enjoying that room.
I couldn’t help but think of a recent episode on Thirsty & Thirty, which is all about jealousy. Jealousy is a natural human emotion. However, it can be dangerous if you feed it with the mindset of never being satisfied or acting entitled.
If it’s natural, how do we make sure it doesn’t consume us?
- It’s okay to feel jealous. Acknowledge the jealousy. My first lesson on jealousy was when I was five years old. My sister was born, and I remember being picked up from school very late. I came home, and there she was, a newborn baby in my home. Despite a moment of jealousy, today, I can’t think of myself luckier to have a sister like her. The truth is: we will all get jealous at some point. The world doesn’t revolve around us—practice compassion and empathy towards others instead.
- Learn to live in the moment. Jealousy can lead to so many assumptions. We stalk, obsess, and desire things that are not even attainable. Every person has a unique path. If you see something you like in someone else’s story, use it as inspiration or drive your curiosity. No need to “copy, cut or paste.”
- You may always want The Pineapple Suite. Sometimes, the world may give you another kind of suite. See the upsides rather than the downsides.
- Jealousy is healthy as it stops us from becoming complacent. Don’t let it be your dominant emotion, though. You’ll make it impossible to be genuinely contented.
Have you watched White Lotus? What do you think? How do you healthily deal with jealousy?
