Jealousy

Hi everyone,
Does anyone else have a problem believing they are good at something when someone tells you that you are? I know this girl at my school. She's an amazing artist. She didn't take art class last year but she is this year, and I'm worried about how my self-esteem issues are going to make me respond to this situation. I get so jealous that she is a better artist than I am, always will be. I know this sounds so much like I'm a whiny brat complaining because I can't be the best - which is what it basically is. But has anyone ever felt this way? I know it's normal, but it's made me consider dropping art class. It's affecting my life now more than it ever has before. I hate the person I've become, but that's another story. Sorry for complaining.

I feel that way about everything Indie. I can have someone tell me I am amazing at "so n so" and will I believe it? No. lol.

I think it's a matter of self esteem rather than what you're good and bad at. You can be good at everything you do but there is always someone who will be better and there will always be someone better than that person and so on.

So what can we do? Well learn to love what we can do already, be grateful for our talents and keep practicing at what we love to do so we can get better :]

I know you're probably thinking bs lol
When I read my own advice it's hard to believe I never take it, but it's the truth.

I never am happy about anything I succeed in doing, even if it's better than others I am not happy. I think it's because I am not happy with myself and that's where the problem is. Perhaps that is your problem too?

I think that might be my problem too El. I agree with your advice, but I wish my mind would believe that it was possible to do, to get into that mindset that you describe. That must be the hardest part

I agree with el. I also think it's understandable to feel that way indie. I had a friend who had the same interests as me and I thought she was better at everything. I realized we have two different styles in music, art, etc., and both of us are really good at what we do. I think that's a natural emotion to feel in that situation. Don't let it go to your head too much though.

Yea I feel that way about my siblings they are so much better than me and I am the oldest I feel like the guinny pig of the family so I don't come around much even if I am invited to family functions or vacations....I just never really feel good around them so I don't go. Jealousy is a ***** in a red dress!

What So Punk said about styles - when I was taking art classes, there were people who were so good at doing all these feathery strokes and making such perfect representations - but I just couldn't do feathery. I was jealous too, but eventually realized I had my own style. You are learning different techniques in class? and maybe she is more adept at some? but that is not what defines an artist. An artist more than anything is about your personal truth and vision, and I don't understand how there is a "better" or competition in that? Unless you're doing doe-eyed waifs on velvet, in which case, lose my number...!