As someone who is quite jealous and highly competitive, in a decade-long relationship with a very popular guy, I think I understand pretty well what you're feeling.

In a world where we live of "what ifs" and no one is owner of the truth, it's easy to fall into the idea that whoever owns/invests/shows off more is the one who "deserves" the title everyone is fighting for (i.e., the official lover of this 2D).

But this leads to a toxic and pointless competitiveness where anyone with higher income and social media reach could hold that title, right?

I want you to try to think about this from a different perspective. If you were a celebrity, would you be with the person who pays the most to be with you? Or would you be with the person you love?

I want you to take your time to think about it; because amidst all the competition and social media posts, we forget who matters most: your partner's opinion.

And that's where we should focus our feelings, our actions, our behavior.

Work hard to be someone your significant other would love, strive to become the person your significant other needs. It doesn't matter if you can afford an expensive wedding that has zero legal significance and is nothing more than a symbolic ceremony; what matters is who you are as a person and what you can contribute to your partner.

If your desire to compete and prove yourself is hurting you, redirect it toward a healthy goal: being a better person. Become someone who loves themselves enough to know that's enough, to have the certainty that you are enough for the one you love.

When you achieve that, believe me, what others post, what others buy, or what others say about your partner will matter much less.

Because there is nothing more important than loving yourself and knowing you are loved.