Jealousy is a very natural human feeling. It’s okay to feel jealous and let it settle rather than avoiding it. Pretending not to be jealous when you are will only increase its intensity. Therefore, embracing the human flaws in us is the sensible thing to do. Additionally, identifying if a person is jealous of you is important. You never know to what extent someone’s jealousy might affect you personally and professionally. Here are 7 sure signs that someone is secretly jealous of you.
1. Fake Praise
A jealous person will have no problem giving you compliments, but once you leave, they will put you down to their peers. They probably dislike confrontation, so they will never admit they are jealous. Instead, they will pretend to be proud of you. So, keep your ears open!
2. They’re Happy When You Fail
Jealous people are thrilled when you fail at something because they hate your success. They will never say it to your face, but they secretly enjoy it. Ironically, if they are trying to copy you to achieve the same success, wouldn’t they be disappointed when you fail? It doesn’t make much sense, does it?
3. Brag About Their Success
The same people who downplay your success will eagerly flaunt theirs. They will do everything to highlight their achievements, especially when you are celebrating yours. The reason is that they feel threatened by your success and need to prove they are just as important.
4. Downplay Your Achievements
When you achieve something significant, a jealous person will try to downplay it. They will do everything to prove that your success is not a big deal. Since they don’t have similar achievements to boast about, their satisfaction comes from convincing others that your success is unimportant.
5. They Imitate You
Take imitation as a form of flattery. Someone who is jealous of you will often try to do everything you do. They might mimic your walk, dress, or even the way you talk. While this can be annoying, try to accept it. They obviously see your way of life as successful, so embrace it.
6. They’re Very Competitive
Psychologist Melanie Greenberg explains that jealous individuals tend to be either arrogant or insecure and want to prove their superiority. This leads them to be highly competitive. While a competitive edge can be healthy, a jealous person aims to embarrass and brag, making them “bad winners.”
7. They Love to Gossip
Jealous people will pretend to be proud of you but will gossip about you the moment you leave. They target people who respect you, trying to ruin your reputation with negative comments and false rumors. Their goal is to damage your relationships and undermine your achievements.
