Envy hurts. And that is why we reject it, we deny it, we disguise it as criticism. But beneath that criticism there is a very clear message: I want to do what that person does. Cameron proposes using it as a compass.

Envy hurts. And that is why we reject it, we deny it, we disguise it as criticism. "Your book isn't that good either." "It has gone well for him because he was lucky." But beneath that criticism there is a very clear message: I want to do what that person does.

Envy as a map

Cameron proposes something counterintuitive: instead of fleeing from envy, use it as a compass. If you are envious of someone who writes, your inner artist wants to write. If you envy someone who paints, he wants to paint. If you envy someone who travels and photographs, they want to go out with a camera.

Envy is not a moral defect. It is information. And when you stop judging it and start listening to it, it becomes one of the most useful tools in the process.

"Envy is a map. Each pang of envy points you to what you secretly desire for yourself."

— Julia Cameron

Exercise: the map of envy

Step 01

Make a list of five people you envy

They don't have to be famous. They can be friends, acquaintances, people from social networks. Write down what exactly you envy about them.

Step 02

Translate envy into desire

Next to each name, write the phrase "I want..." and complete it. «I envy that María publishes articles» → «I want to publish articles.»

Step 03

Look for a tiny first step

You don't need to match that person. You need to take just one step in that direction. If you want to write, write a paragraph. If you want to paint, buy a pencil.

"Envy transformed into action stops being envy. It becomes healthy ambition."

When envy turns into criticism

If you don't transform envy into action, it rots and turns into cynicism. Cynicism is the envy that has lost hope. The cynic no longer believes he can do what he envies, so he destroys it with words. Every destructive criticism is an unpursued dream.

If you find yourself criticizing others' work a lot, ask yourself: what do I want to do that I'm not allowing myself to do?

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