Apr 8, 20215 min read

Jealousy in a Relationship: The Story Behind and After

Human beings are social animals. Throughout their life on earth, they make and break various connections and relationships, and as a result, they also come in contact with many emotions. Maintaining a relationship is often challenging as they are two people with individual emotions and thoughts. It isn't always bright and lovely. Among the various emotions that one goes through in a relationship, Jealousy is the common one.

Being jealous in a relationship is quite common, given that we are all humans with our own set of insecurities. What makes us jealous in a relationship, the signs of Jealousy and insecurity in relationships are all noteworthy areas to study and reflect in our relationships. Jealousy in relationship psychology helps to prevent your relationship from dangling on the edge of toxicity.

Being jealous in a relationship is often just a prominent response of our subconscious, either because we are insecure about losing them or being insecure about how well our ex is doing without us. Some other relationships with people we consider close, the insecurity of someone being better than us, and that we are not adequate for the person we love often are reasons behind deep-rooted Jealousy.

When we love someone, we treat them as ours. We feel possessive of them and feel they are 'our' endearment only. It also has its share of positive and negative effects that can be regulated by implementing healthy boundaries.

Is it OK to be jealous in a relationship?

Jealousy in regular bouts is entirely okay to feel in a relationship. Throughout history, men have shown various psychological traits, one of which is Jealousy. Anthropologists have remarked that Jealousy is how we are wired to pick something better for us and helps to secure what we already have. It is okay to be jealous as long as it is for the right reasons and not simply owning each other in a relationship.

Being jealous in a relationship also shows you care for the person and want them to have the best. Steering your Jealousy in the right direction can ensure you have a long-lasting relationship.

On the other hand, too much Jealousy in a relationship causes toxicity in a relationship. It rids your partner and yourself from having any personal space to grow and focus on other relationships or self-development.

Extreme possessiveness due to Jealousy could lead to stifling your partner and ridding them of individual decisions. Disallowing their time for their other healthy friendships and doubting their partner due to Jealousy can lead to unwanted conflicts, straining your relationship.

Positive aspects of being jealous in a relationship

Being jealous in a relationship is one of the precursors to finding out if the connection is suitable for you. One of the positives of being jealous in a relationship is that you get to analyze if the relationship is going the way you want it to, if there is an imminent future, or if it is growing along with the relationship.

Such Jealousy helps to draw boundaries in a relationship and negotiate a mutually nurturing and supportive relationship for each other. Besides, if both aren’t comfortable in a relationship, there’s no use in trying to save it.

Is Jealousy a sign of love or insecurity?

The psychology behind Jealousy in a relationship classifies it into two types: healthy Jealousy and unhealthy Jealousy. Healthy Jealousy is propelled by love and care for someone we genuinely admire. It has its roots in love and is completely harmless as long as it is restricted to caring for the person's welfare and doesn't go about messing with their personal space and boundaries.

Unhealthy Jealousy, on the other hand, is driven by traits like insecurity, inadequacy, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, emotional dependence, and neuroticism. This type of Jealousy has nothing to be normalized and is the first to ruin any good relationship.

Though our society glamorizes Jealousy as cute and possessive partners make for great lovers, it has its shades of toxicity attached, which must not be encouraged beyond a point. Being jealous in a relationship is a sign of love as long as it is bound by trust and is toxic and based on insecurities, if not bound at all.

What your jealous feelings are telling you?

Jealousy in a relationship could often be because the relationship isn't moving the way you want it. It might also be a sign of insecurity or your past experiences warning you and the need to address them.

How to tell your partner you're jealous?

Figure out what you are jealous or afraid of. Often, it is just the situation that works us up and not the presence of their other relationships. Besides, your partner may be sincere, and you may still doubt them because of how the situation plays out. Addressing the reasonable fear to your partner is key in expressing your Jealousy.

Talk to your partner. It is better than spinning a thousand tales in your head and accusing someone of something that only your overthinking powered.
Skip accusations. If you don't know, then it is better not to jump to conclusions. Accusations cause strain on the relationships and, most times, are the reason they end without closure.
Rebuild your trust in your partner by talking to others they have been with, their family, friends, or even your old dating days. Your memories aren't there only to cry over with a shot of tequila. Use them wisely to warm up to your partner again and talk to them about how you feel.
Don't raid your partner's stuff or go about avenging them for something that might not even be true. Give them their personal space always, and don't let doubts creep in before you hear it from your partner.
Focus on self-care. It is entirely normal to feel jealous, and you don't need to be hard on yourself for feeling so. Unless your partner is cheating on you or has confessed something so, you have no reason to keep feeding your Jealousy, so try to get rid of it by meditating, doing something you love, and keeping positive.

Best tips to deal with Jealousy in a relationship:

You need to create a sense of trust in each other by being each other's significant other and go-to person.
You must appreciate each other's interests, even if different, and support their endeavors.
However diverse your interests may be, try to spend some quality time together doing something you share a common interest in.
Both of you need to pay attention to each other while socializing with others and share each other’s friendships and acquaintances.
If jealous, make the first move to express it to your partner and not grow doubt in yourself.
Don’t jump to conclusions and reinforce the happy moments you shared, and use them to guide you.

Parting Note:

Share your successes and be a part of both happy, sad, and tiny moments of each other's life.

Being jealous in a relationship happens to the best of us, as that is how we are wired. Handling it the proper way helps to reinforce and build stronger and healthier relationships.