The Hidden Poverty of Envy: A Lesson from a Bag of Chippy
- Mikko Piispa
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
Envy doesn’t always show up as jealousy—it’s far more deceptive than that. It can disguise itself as humility, making us say, “I don’t need what they have,” when deep inside, there’s resentment.
It can hide behind bias, dismissing others’ success as “just luck” or “privilege.”
It can even take the form of insecurity, convincing us that we are not enough or undeserving of more.
And when envy takes root in our hearts, it creates an invisible kind of poverty—not just a lack of material wealth, but a lack of peace of mind.
On a Davao-Manila flight, a random stranger noticed me taking a picture of my favourite childhood snack—Chippy—and asked, “Why did you take a photo of that?” I smiled and said, “Because it reminds me of where I came from.”
Through our 1.5 hours inflight chitchat made me realise something: when you appreciate what shaped you, there’s no room for envy—only gratitude.
But too often, people let their past fuel bitterness rather than appreciation.
Instead of celebrating their journey, they compare and resent.
Have you ever caught yourself secretly judging someone who seems to have it all?
Or telling yourself that staying small is a virtue?
That’s envy working in the shadows, keeping you trapped.
True humility isn’t about rejecting success—it’s about knowing your worth without comparison.
And real contentment doesn’t come from settling; it comes from finding joy in both your path and the success of others.
So, if you feel triggered by someone else’s achievements, take a moment to ask: Is this truly humility, or is there something deeper here?
Because the wealthiest life isn’t one free from competition—it’s one free from the need to compete.
When we shift from envy to empowerment, we don’t just watch abundance—we create it.
And sometimes, it starts with something as simple as a childhood snack, reminding us that we’ve always had enough.
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