17 Dec 2025 · 0 min
Bryan Johnson explains that envy and happiness cannot coexist. When you feel envy, intentionally bless the people who have what you want. Sonia Lyubomirsky's research shows social comparison is toxic, and this practice rewires your brain toward gratitude instead.
You're listening to Optimize with Bryan Johnson. More wisdom in less time.
Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another Optimize plus one. In our last plus one, we talked about the science of social comparison and reiterated the fact that it's toxic. Remember, as per Sonia Lyubomirsky, you can't be envious and happy at the same time. People who pay too much attention to social comparisons find themselves chronically vulnerable, threatened and insecure. Plus, the happier the person, the less attention she pays to how others around her are doing. Today we're going to talk about what we can do when we inevitably find ourselves feeling the itch envy. I love how T. Harv Eker puts it in the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. He says, I quote, bless that which you want. If you see a person with a beautiful home, bless that person and bless that home. If you see a person with a beautiful car, bless that person and bless that car. If you see a person with a loving family, bless that person and bless that family. If you see a person with a beautiful body, bless that person and bless their body. There you go. That's today's plus one. Feel a little envious. Remember, you can't be envious and happy at the same time. Notice something you wish you had a little more of in your life. Bless the people who are blessed to have it. Then get back to living your life as well as you possibly can. You'll be considerably happier now and considerably more likely to experience the same blessings in the future.
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Optymyze with Bryan Johnson. To find out more, go to Optimize Me.
