Materialism, Jealousy, and Mental Health
It’s easy to compare. A friend posts vacation photos from a place you’ve never been. A colleague shows off a promotion or a new car. Even walking down the street, the ads staring back at you whisper the same message: You’re not enough until you have more.
Materialism and jealousy feed on this cycle. They thrive on measuring ourselves against others, convincing us that happiness lies just one purchase—or one achievement—ahead. But here’s the quiet truth: comparison rarely leaves us fulfilled. More often, it leaves us restless, distracted, and disconnected from what actually matters.
I hear it often in sessions, though not always named outright. A client might say, “I should be further along by now,” or “Why does it seem like everyone else has it figured out?” Beneath those words is the shadow of comparison. It doesn’t matter whether the subject is money, success, relationships, or even personal growth, the underlying feeling is the same: I’m behind.
That belief can have real effects on mental health. It breeds anxiety, shame, and sometimes isolation. Instead of drawing closer to others, jealousy can quietly build walls. Instead of enjoying what we do have, materialism shifts our focus to what’s missing.
So how do we begin to step out of this loop?
LEARN: Pay attention to your triggers. Does scrolling social media leave you feeling inspired—or inadequate? Do certain conversations make you question your worth? Awareness helps you see the stories comparison creates.
GROW: Practice gratitude in small, specific ways. Not the broad “I should be grateful,” but concrete moments: the warmth of your coffee, the kindness of a friend, the roof over your head. Gratitude shifts your attention from what’s missing to what’s present.
CONNECT: Remember that connection, not consumption, is what nourishes us. Reach out when jealousy creeps in. Share your insecurities with someone you trust. Often, you’ll find they’ve felt the same. That honesty builds bonds stronger than any possession ever could.
None of this is to say we shouldn’t want nice things or strive for more. The problem comes when “more” becomes the measure of our worth. True fulfillment doesn’t live in the next purchase or the next promotion. It lives in how we show up, for ourselves, for our relationships, for the world around us.
If you catch yourself lost in comparison, pause and ask: What actually matters to me right now? Not what matters to your neighbor, your coworker, or the algorithm. You. That question can reorient you toward values that last longer than the glow of envy or the thrill of a new possession.
In the end, joy isn’t about having the most. It’s about noticing what’s already enough.