I will share you a boring story:
Back then I use to have a secret tradition such as "designated rival." I pick certain artists that tugs an envy chord inside me or just get into my nerve when I see them. They often come with these conditions: similar age (more envy), more popular than me, drawing in similar medium or style (so I can compare better), have a technically better art but not much of a skill gap between us (I know my limits), and preferably an art student (there's nothing more satisfying than defeating someone who have the chance and privilege I never get). I often never interacted to artists I pick and they don't know I exist. I don't personally resent them or harbor ill will toward them, although if something bad happens to them I won't complain.
The next step, I would work on my art while periodically stalking their page to compare, thinking we are actually real rival and I am in a real need to defeat them. It's exhausting for my mind, but I kept doing it.
Now, the whole thing is kind of stupid and a waste of time. To think of it, I mostly lose. Often my art is still not good compared to them, often I don't get as popular as them, often I am still nothing compared to them.
However, the improvement spurt I have is something else. Their art is maybe still better over time, but they improve at slower rate than me. I also find out there is nothing to be envious for from some of them, as now I can analyze things better. Because I have grown, their art doesn't feel as grand and as good as before that I questions my envy. Sometimes with better observation I find out shady things they do, such as that their art is traced or such.
I realized everyone have a downside and a strength, and me too have a certain strength.
This is a delusional thought, but maybe if I keep going I actually can be better than them. Plus, when I think it's a win there is no better feeling than defeating them and no longer worry about them, even if it affect them like nothing.
Most importantly, I no longer envy for them. I don't know why but after all the strong emotions and efforts toward them, suddenly they're nothing to me. My feeling to them is the same like tossing a toy I no longer like, and that's a good feeling.
The only envy I can't help until now is when it comes to audience and appreciation. Because it's not only about how you can be technically and theoretically better, it's about how much people like you. I have seen people with amateurish and unoriginal art get appreciated more than genuinely skilled and authentic one, or somebody who follows all marketing advice and promotion to put themselves out but still not having it.