stop complaining

.... it would be nice to put an end to it.

The not complaining experiment has been going well. It has lead to a lot of honesty which I’m frankly surprised at; I thought I was basically a “tell it like it is” kind of person anyway.

Had a small slip today, though. I caught myself complaining about a project. It felt bad while I was doing it. There is a lesson here.

Today was the first day my month of not complaining experiment got tested in the real world (weekends are easy; they are under my control. no subway hassles, no work related foolishness).

One of my co-workers did a 15 minute barrage of complaints not more than 5 minutes after she got to work today (our building sucks because the elevators take too long, she has too much work, her commute is hell (it is but it’s also her choice to live 3 hours from where she works)) and listening to it felt like I was being physically battered. It felt good to not engage, to not get caught in that spiral of powerlessness.

More experiment to follow the rest of the month.

Its just lead me to nowhere… so wont do it anymore… just say what is right what is wrong but Dnt complain!!!

...I’m going to try not complaining for a month.

This doesn’t mean that I can’t rightfully evaluate something as unsatisfactory (e.g.: if the service is bad, I have a right to speak up about it) but it does mean that I need to shift my attitude about things I find unsatisfactory.

If I don’t like it I have two choices: lump it or do something about it (do something about it has a lot of sub-choices like: appeal to a higher authority (yes, I’d like to speak to your supervisor), confront the person (no, really, I don’t appreciate your shoulder bag hitting me in the face; thanks so much), or make the change myself (dirty dishes in the office sink go on that counter; your mama doesn’t work here).

I’m hoping this will help me focus on the good stuff and get out of the increasingly more frustrating situation I find myself in. If nothing else, this will keep me from getting into the complaint spiral with my co-workers (not getting dragged into that is going to be a challenge).

I have definitely been making progress. Most times when I feel the urge to complain I think to myself how annoying and negative it would be and I just keep my mouth shut. I actually feel a lot more positive and happier when I’m not complaining.

I do this alot. Im a pretty negative person…and i hate that. I just need to stop.

I got this idea that instead of complaining about something I would write it on a piece of paper.. then rip up the paper and let it go. I’m gonna try it next time I get the urge to complain.

What I need to work on

Stop complaining about work (hard)
Stop complaining about lack of money/bills (harder!)
Stop complaining about loved ones bad habits and their negative talk (gotta be more understanding/loving)
Stop complaining about being tired

Inspired by www.acomplaintfreeworld.org I intend to change this habit.