Longing

A person launches a project you've admired from afar. A writer publishes a book. A business comes together beautifully.

The reaction isn't always inspiration. Sometimes the feeling is closer to: Well, now I can’t. They’re already doing it.

Envy has a way of disguising itself as discouragement. It often points toward something we want but haven't yet given ourselves permission to pursue.

The people who provoke that feeling are often standing alongside something we've been unwilling to admit we want for ourselves. Their work reminds us of an idea we've postponed, a risk we've avoided, or a possibility we've kept at arm's length.

What feels like comparison may sometimes be recognition — of something we've wanted for ourselves longer than we've been willing to admit.

If that's true, the feeling may not be about them at all.

It may be inviting us to take a closer look at what we want for ourselves. ✦

---

Related Little Letters

Rut • Human Work • The Life Beneath the Work

Elsewhere on the site

Work • Work with Me • Clients • About • Little Letters

Little Letters in your inbox

Occasional reflections on design, communication, and the things that shape how our work is understood. Sign up here.

Say Hello

sylvieastrid@icloud.com