“Of all the disorders of the soul, envy is the only one no one confesses to.”

The Daily Laws, May 20, The Unambitious Front

We readily admit to many inner struggles—anger, anxiety, pride, desire.

These are often softened by humour, therapy, or cultural narratives that normalise them.

Envy, however, is rarely spoken about.

To feel envy is to confront a disquieting truth: that another person’s success, beauty, or happiness unsettles us.

It is not merely wanting what they have—it is facing a perceived lack within ourselves.

This threatens our self-image, so we tend to repress envy.

But repression does not eliminate it.