Managing jealousy & building compersion

Almost everyone feels jealousy at some point in ENM. It's not a sign you're 'doing it wrong' — it's a signal pointing at a need or fear underneath. Get curious, not ashamed. Ask what the fear is really about: being replaced? Left out? Not enough time? Naming the specific fear turns it into something you can actually address. Talk about it early and gently. 'I felt a twinge when X happened — can we talk about it?' beats bottling it up until it bursts. Your partner can't reassure a fear they don't know about. Build compersion over time. Compersion — feeling genuinely happy that your partner is happy — usually grows as trust and security do. It's not required, and it's not instant. Practical anchors help: protected time together, a check-in after dates, and small reassurances. Security is built, not assumed.