My mom sent me this link to an article titled, “Do You Complain Too Much?” and no, she wasn’t trying to tell me anything.
But, yes I do complain too much. When I began reading the article I agreed with everything and even considered taking the “quit complaining challenge” like the writer and millions of other readers of the book “A Complaint Free World”. I was motivated to do my part and not release anymore of my negativity into the universe and pretty certain that I could do it. For a little while at least. But instead, I began thinking about the benefits of complaining.
Holding in Anything Isn’t Good
Women have been holding in gas, secrets, and their opinions for centuries. I don’t believe it’s ever a good idea to force ourselves to keep in the things that bother or trouble us. (Men too, for that matter, though they’re less likely to hold in gas, for some reason.) This is one of the reasons normally quiet people flip out on their co-workers– in my opinion, of course. And by the way, I don’t mean because of holding in gas.
Misery Loves Company
I’m not miserable and by no means do I want to make others miserable, but when it comes to complaining about credit cards, medical bills, bankruptcy, or just plain being broke, it makes me feel better knowing that it isn’t just me. So not only do I complain, but I don’t mind too much when others complain about these things.
Whining is pathetic and irritating though, so I thought it would be a good idea to point out the difference. Whining annoys people as in, “I can’t pay my bills, poor me. My life sucks…” Complaining creates comraderie, “I can’t pay my bills, why the hell am I still working here?” or “I need to find another job or budget better but man that’s hard…”
People Know You’re Normal
Believe me, you might look at someone and think their life is perfect and someone out there is looking at you in the same way. It makes us human when we complain. Letting people know that you’re not completely elated with your life or that something really bugs you, lets them know that no matter how well dressed or put together, you’re still normal.
Reminds Others that Things Could be Worse
Complaining may also let others know that your life really does suck. Whatever issue you’re going through could be bad enough that it makes someone realize that things in their own life could definitely be worse. On the other hand, they could be complaining about something that you are thanking your lucky stars isn’t happening to you. Of course you don’t want sympathy, sometimes it’s just nice to vent.
Needless to say, I decided not to take the challenge to completely quit complaining. Choosing a middle ground somewhere between Pollyanna and Party Pooper works the best for me and is probably the healthiest. So my suggestion is…complain away people. Let it out, you may actually feel better.
(And yeah, this time I mean gas too.)