Supporting a Partner with Jealous Feelings
Partner Exercise 1 - Support vs Saving
Being in a relationship with a partner who experiences a lot of jealousy can be emotionally draining and difficult to navigate. Your task is twofold: to listen with empathy and support your partner as much as possible, while also taking care of yourself to ensure you have the energy to be there for them.
These exercises are designed to help you support your partner effectively while maintaining your own emotional well-being.
Supporting vs. Saving
The first major concept is understanding the difference between supporting your partner and saving them. When our partner is hurting, our instinct is often to stop their pain as quickly as possible-sometimes by removing the source of their distress. For example, we might cancel our own plans or change our behavior to ease their discomfort.
While this might bring short-term relief, it can prevent your partner from experiencing growth. By shielding them from their feelings, they don’t have the opportunity to process difficult emotions and develop the tools to handle similar challenges in the future. This keeps them stuck, unable to move forward or grow stronger.
Instead, focus on supporting your partner through their pain rather than saving them from it. Allow them to sit with their emotions while being there for them in a compassionate way. And ask yourself honestly: Are you trying to save them for their sake-or because you find it hard to sit with their discomfort?
Help your partner feel heard and understood
Jealousy stems from the fear of losing something that is important to you. When your partner feels jealous, fear and insecurity are frequently at the root. Helping them explore and address this fear can be incredibly reassuring.
Step 1: Practice active listening
Use a tool like the Relationship Toolkit: Active Listening.
Listen without judgment, reflect back on what your partner is saying, and show that you understand their emotions. The goal is not necessarily to agree with your partner but to
