Navigating the world of relationships can be a tricky task. While some days it’s all sunshine and rainbows, other times it can feel like trying to juggle flaming torches blindfolded. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, life throws you another curveball that hits you right in the feels. That’s how the original poster of this story (we’ll call her Jane) felt.

Jane has a boyfriend with as much tact as a rhino in a china shop, who casually mentioned that he found Jane’s sister more attractive. Ouch! How does one even begin to handle such a blow?

More info: Reddit

Insecure young woman gets triggered when her boyfriend shows pics of her sister to his friends, implying that she’s much better looking than her

Image credits: Vinicius Wiesehofer (not the actual photo)

The woman, who leads a pretty typical life, has always been jealous of her younger sister as she is more attractive and leads a glamorous life

Image credits: PrudentBusiness215

Image credits: Tommy Huang (not the actual photo)

Image credits: PrudentBusiness215

When the woman meets her boyfriend’s entourage, she is left heartbroken by the man’s comments regarding her sister’s good looks

Image credits: ELEVATE (not the actual photo)

Image credits: PrudentBusiness215

The man tries to downplay his actions saying he didn’t mean anything by it, but the woman’s childhood insecurities come back to haunt her, even months after the incident

Jane, at 29, has always felt overshadowed by her 27-year-old sister, a woman who looks like she stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine – think model meets Hollywood star. Her sister’s life has pretty much been like a movie, full of glamorous parties, fancy dates with powerful men, and Instagram-worthy moments. Jane, on the other hand, has a typical life and a regular 9-5 job.

One evening, Jane and her boyfriend, a 36-year-old man, were out with some of his friends, who Jane hadn’t met before that day. Between some shared laughs and a few drinks, someone asked about Jane’s family. Her boyfriend, in a tactless move, blurted out: “If you guys think Jane is pretty, you should see her sister!” He even whipped out his phone to show off her Instagram.

Jane was already feeling very jealous of her little sister, so when her boyfriend made that comment, it really hurt her. Though he later tried to say it wasn’t a big deal, the damage was already done. Even now, after two months have passed, Jane still feels the sting of that comment and wonders, “How do I overcome these insecurities?”

Image credits: Alena Darmel (not the actual photo)

To find out more about how Jane has been coping with the incident, Bored Panda reached out to her for some comments: “Currently I am still together with my boyfriend. I did not realize at the time how horrible his comment really was because I was caught up in the thick of my insecurity. But so many people have pointed out how awful what he did in front of people was, so I am hesitant going forward and trying to feel some things out with him from a different mindset. I am taking a few steps back in my relationship to see if he is really the right person for me,” she said.

Our protagonist told Bored Panda that many people have suggested that she try therapy to address her insecurities and that she is open to exploring this option to see if it helps, as years of comparing herself to others have caused significant harm to her self-esteem.

When asked about her relationship with her sister, our protagonist said: “I am very close with my sister! I am proud to have her as my sister and will be the first to sing her praises to people as well. I have just always felt less than when next to her. I am pretty when I am on my own, but the second we are in a room together I become instantly invisible.”

Building self-esteem can really change a person’s life as it provides a strong base to handle anything. According to an article on building lasting self-esteem and boosting confidence, “The path to self-confidence is not always easy, but with commitment and the willingness to learn and evolve, you can [do it].”

The first things a person who is trying to rebuild their self-esteem should do are to practice self-compassion and replace self-criticism with self-encouragement. “Practicing self-compassion begins by noticing this internal dialogue and actively working to change it. When faced with challenges or setbacks, treat yourself with the same warmth and understanding you would offer to a friend,” the article explains.

Another important step would be to surround ourselves with positive people. The friends we spend time with can really impact how we feel about ourselves. Being with positive and supportive people can boost confidence, inspire, and help us grow. But if we are around negative or unsupportive people, they can drain our energy, make us feel bad about ourselves, and hold us back.

Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

Growing up, Jane always felt like she was living in the shadow of her sister who had always been the star, amazing everyone with her looks and glamorous lifestyle, while Jane felt invisible. These constant comparisons and feelings of being second best affected Jane a lot, leaving her struggling with deep insecurities.

Experts suggest that “adult sibling disputes are frequently a manifestation of unresolved childhood feelings such as parental favoritism, rivalry, or jealousy. … Sibling jealousy may entail a fear that the success of the sibling in some way may detract from our achievements. We may fear that our sibling is engaging in behaviors meant to harm us.”

There are many proven behavioral techniques to reduce jealousy, but some of them stand out more than others when it comes specifically to dealing with sibling jealousy. First things first, think about whether your jealous thoughts are helpful or not. Helpful thoughts lead to positive results, such as pushing you to make positive changes in your life. This is something Jane could use to help her get over her jealousy towards her sister.

In the end, we all feel insecure sometimes, but those feelings don’t make us who we are. When we accept our quirks and celebrate what makes us special, we can all shine in our own way. Jane can do this too. She just needs to remember that beauty isn’t only about looks. It’s about what makes her unique and amazing.

What did you think of this story? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Let us know in the comments.

People in the comments say that a 36-year-old man should know better than to make such comments and nudge the woman to leave him

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