Good morning,
I hope this message finds you well.
I would like to take a moment of your time to discuss a few things.
Firstly, I would like to address the issue of your colleague.
I understand that you have mixed feelings about her.
It is natural to have different emotions towards a colleague, but I believe it is important to distinguish between these feelings and understand them better.
Secondly, I would like to discuss your feelings about your childhood.
It is normal to have different feelings about your childhood, but it is important to understand them and work through them.
I am here to support you in this process.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
Projection and reality
It may be more appropriate to refer to this special female colleague in the company as a "girl." She represents more of a little princess who is pampered and loved and immersed in happiness, which is what you long for inside, rather than a female colleague like you who is developing herself in the workplace.
In reality, this female colleague is a friend of the boss, and because of this relationship, she chooses to be a symbolic presence in the company, collecting a salary without truly devoting herself to her work. From a purely career development perspective, however, the conclusion might be quite different.
There are multiple inner feelings involved.
You have mixed feelings about this female colleague. It seems that you have several conflicting feelings, and you are confused.
Our inner being is inherently multifaceted. Being aware of and distinguishing between different levels will provide greater clarity and facilitate more effective decision-making, avoiding being influenced by the different levels within us and allowing for more objective choices.
The level of envy experienced is that of one's childhood self or inner child.
You envy your female colleague, who was born with a privileged background and a supportive family. Unlike you, she faced significant challenges during her upbringing.
You appreciate her personality and the confidence she exudes, particularly her ability to prioritize her own happiness above all else.
This aspect of the anger reflects an inner longing from childhood. It represents a desire for love and care, as well as a less challenging and more comfortable life at home. It is akin to the mindset of an infant, who believes that happiness is exclusive to them.
For a young child, it is essential for the world to revolve around them to gain a sense of control and security.
From infancy to childhood, this part of you has never been satisfied, and this desire has remained in your heart. It is an unfulfilled obsession that will be difficult to let go of for a long time.
It appears that only when this is achieved can one consider life to be complete.
However, this desire is akin to that of a baby. Infants cannot survive without sustenance, and this longing is understandable and genuine.
As adults, we may still have this desire, but it is no longer aligned with reality. We have the capacity to create and fulfill our needs.
The Jealousy Dimension – Childhood Aggression
When you are envious of this female colleague, why is she able to receive such treatment because she was born differently? This is a form of anger. Anger at the other person's "goodness and happiness" activates our inner feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness.
Without the other person, we are less inclined to feel miserable. Everyone is the same, and it is easier to accept misery. This also means that narcissism is not damaged.
This is also related to the way of thinking in childhood. When encountering difficulties, being blamed, or being attacked by parents, children tend to internalize the blame and perceive themselves as bad. In fact, it is not the child's fault that the parents are unable to protect them; it is just that the parents are not capable of love.
However, at the core of a child's psyche is an inherent sense of inadequacy and a belief that they are undeserving.
The childhood experiences and preferential treatment received by your female colleague likely triggered a sense of inadequacy within you. You may have projected this feeling onto your colleague, perceiving her good fortune as a cause of your misfortune, leading to feelings of aggression and jealousy.
It is important to recognize that your inner feelings of inadequacy and misfortune are simply reflections of your own self-perception. The other person serves as a catalyst, triggering a response within you.
The realistic aspect of yourself that you find undesirable is the aspect of yourself that is prone to jealousy.
You are not pleased with your feelings of jealousy. This is a more realistic and mature perspective.
At this level, you are aware that birth is not a choice. Your objective is to let go of envy and jealousy, focus on the resources you have, and develop your own life.
This level is the present you, aware of the reality of the world and eager to capitalise on the opportunities presented by that reality.
However, at this level, there is a tendency to envy and resent one's inner self, and a desire to exert control over it. The adult equivalent of the individual may harbor negative feelings towards the child within and may also deny the traumas of the past.
Each aspect of the individual is a distinct self, comprising different personas at different times. There is no need to reject or deny any of these aspects. Similarly, there is no need to deny the wounds, deep longings, or anger and disappointment that the individual may experience.
When these aspects resurface at certain moments, it is important to provide yourself with understanding and compassion. It is essential to acknowledge that these aspects still exist within you and to recognize that they originate from the inner child. The adult self can embrace and nurture these aspects.
Gradually, the various elements of your identity will become harmoniously integrated. You will experience greater emotional ease and authenticity, a genuine letting go of the past, and a welcoming embrace of your new life with enthusiasm and commitment.
I hope this information is helpful. I'm therapist Xu Yanlian, and I'm available for further discussion.
Best regards,
Comments
I can see why this situation is so frustrating. It's tough when you feel like someone isn't pulling their weight, especially when everyone else is working so hard. The fact that she seems to have it easy both at work and in life makes it even harder to swallow.
It's understandable to feel envious in this kind of scenario. But maybe we should try to focus on our own achievements and what we bring to the table instead of comparing ourselves to others who might have different circumstances.
We all have our own battles to fight and victories to celebrate. While it's tempting to compare our situations with hers, it's important to remember that each person's journey is unique. Maybe talking to a friend or colleague about these feelings could help process them.
Sometimes I wonder if addressing the issue constructively with the boss might be beneficial. Not to complain, but to highlight how team dynamics and workload distribution impact morale. Perhaps there's a way to foster a more balanced environment without singling anyone out.
Reflecting on my own path and accomplishments can shift the focus from what seems unfair about her situation to what I've achieved through hard work. Everyone has their own story, and mine includes overcoming challenges that have made me stronger.