Comments on: No Complaint Day

By: Why Not Give Love a Chance? Forty Ways! — the halfway point

Why Not Give Love a Chance? Forty Ways! — the halfway point — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:06:00 +0000

[...] Why not try a No Complaint Day (or year, or hour, whatever suits [...]

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 01:08:11 +0000

I try not to complain too much. Negativity is a drain after all. Going without it completely can be hard. I can go a day without talking, but if you include THINKING negative thoughts it becomes a harder prospect than a full day without talking.

For me much harder actually.

By: One Day. One Person. One Perspective Changed. — the halfway point

One Day. One Person. One Perspective Changed. — the halfway point — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:00:39 +0000

[...] considered a complaint? The comments from everyone who weighed in were very educational and interesting to read. For my purposes, I [...]

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:21:50 +0000

Complaining is generally pointless, whining is horrible, and it is my policy to avoid both–unless I reach the point of no return and then I let roll with a rant. Rants are generally reserved for issues of injustice. For everyday life, one should just suck it up, get a thicker skin, or just deal with it. It is possible to deal with the minor dissatisfactions of “reality” by firmly and uncomplainingly doing what you want to do anyway. Complaining means you’ve been taking other people’s crap. Wouldn’t it be ‘way cooler to not give them the satisfaction?

So I would say I am supportive of your efforts!

By: Mel Gallant

Mel Gallant — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:19:58 +0000

Belinda – 100% cheering you on! Can’t wait for your follow up post to read how today went. I find that I complain the most about being tired but I think that comes with the territory of being a mom.

in general, I try not to complain. I think…I may have to double-check with my husband before committing whole-heartedly to that statement.

Some complaining is good – get that beef off your chest! – but when it’s recurrent and pointless it gets annoying, so I try not to participate in negative discussions that aren’t going anywhere…that don’t have a purpose other than to feed negativity. Not always easy but your advice to remain silent, validate and/or change the subject is a great one.

Thanks for starting a great discussion here!

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:37:57 +0000

I guess it all depends on what you consider complaining. I try not to complain, but I have my days. If I am in line at the DMV, saying the line is long may be just pointing out a fact. Going on and on about it is unhelpful negativity. I talk to my five year old about how whining doesn’t get you anywhere, how throwing a fit doesn’t solve the problem. Accepting life or swinging into action to change it. And often, that change starts with talking about the problem. Is that complaining?

By: Patty - Why Not Start Now?

Patty - Why Not Start Now? — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:47:30 +0000

Hi Belinda – I think it’s lovely you’re trying it. It’s clear from your writing that you’re putting your own sweet spin on it, so I’m absolutely cheering you on. For me, though, the idea of no complaints is alternately compelling and confusing. According to the dictionary, to complain is to “express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness…” That’s what clients bring into my office every day, and I welcome it, because in the process of letting out the complaints they move through them to the other side. I think I do that too, in my own life. I guess I see complaints as being different from negativity. Part of our inner balancing act as human beings, our movement towards wholeness: sad/happy, afraid/courageous, complaint/rejoice. The key, I suppose, is where we settle on the continuum.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:33:22 +0000

I think complaining is just negativity, pure and simple. Active discussion about differing opinions, or observations on an incident that didn’t go how you thought it might are different. They are detached forms of analysis. Complaining is often emotionally investing in something that is over or out of your control. I like the idea of a no complaints day. No judgments, no butting in, none of it. Great idea. I’m in.

By: Wilma Ham

Wilma Ham — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:50:35 +0000

I like to return a love link to Tony on this post. I agree; it is remarkably easy to complain because . . . . we live in an environment that is NOT very people friendly, really.
So I have made this easier on myself, there are things I could complain about so I am NOT making myself wrong for complaining. Deny, ignore and I am bound to explode one day.
BUT I do not go on endlessly complaining, I seek to process it in any way I can like Tony said and I go about to create a more and more a people friendly environment for myself so I will have less and less to complain about. THAT is my way of productively deal with anything I complain about. Pay attention, process and ACT. I wish I could draw like Tony though, is that a complaint? xox Wilma

By: Rudri

Rudri — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:42:10 +0000

Belinda,

I really like this post. Complaining is easy and I’ve found that we can always focus on a negative. Your focus on staying positive is important. We have to consciously remind ourselves that we all have good things in our life. It is a matter of perspective. Thanks so much for this important reminder.