It’s extremely important to learn how to stop complaining, since this bad habit won’t bring you any good in the long term. Studies have shown that this bad habit can actually affect our brains, our mental well-being and our physical health in a negative way, because it can cause a real dissatisfaction with our daily lives and in some cases, it can even lead to depression, anxiety or any other emotional disorder. I really like this old proverb which goes something like this: “Instead of complaining that the rose bush is full of thorns, be happy the thorn bush has roses.”. Most of the times, we complain without even realizing it, but the truth is that this habit is rarely helping us. If you’ve noticed that lately you’ve fallen into a pattern of seeing only the negatives in every situation, here are a few very extremely useful tips on how to stop complaining.
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1. Cultivate a Positive Attitude
One of the most important things you should do if you want to learn how to stop complaining all the time is to nourish a positive attitude. Try to see the glass half-full and accept the fact that things will not always work out the way you want to. I know it’s easier said than done, but it is possible. Don’t be afraid to fail because failure can actually be the best teacher you’ll ever have! Try to see the good in everything, cultivate a positive attitude and move forward!
2. Realize That There Are Things outside Your Control
There are a lot of things outside your control, so no matter how hard you might try to change them, such a thing is just not possible (for example, the weather, management decision, lunch options, etc.). Try to spot the silver lining in everything, tell yourself that there are other options to consider and that you shouldn’t let yourself feel miserable because of something you can’t control.
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3. Learn to Adapt
Learn to adapt to all the changes in your life. It may be a bit hard at first, but in time, you will see that it’s the right thing to do. As I’ve said before, there are things that are out of your control and the best thing you can do is to simply accept them for what they are. Always look for the positive in every situation, even if it’s a small good and look at it like it’s an opportunity and not an untenable obstacle.
4. Be Less Judgmental
Before complaining about something someone has done to you, try to find out the whole story and see if they are really as guilty as you thought they were. For example, if you only complain about what you don’t like about a certain person or at the way they are treating you without doing something to change that, you’re not really helping anyone; not them and definitely, not yourself. Just try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and see things from their perspective.
5. Practice Gratitude
Be grateful for everything that you have, because you are extremely lucky just for being yourself. You could try making a list of all the things you are grateful for and you will realize that you actually have no reason to complain so much. Complaining is a passive activity and it doesn’t help anyone. You could try changing that complaining into action and see how much your perspective on things will improve.
6. Be Assertive
In order to stop complaining so much, you should definitely learn how to be more assertive, to stand up for yourself while still taking into consideration other people’s needs. Don’t allow yourself to become someone’s doormat. Tell others what your needs are and how they can be met. Speak loud and clear, be polite and always look people in the eyes!
7. Be the Change You Wish to See in the World
Just like Mahatma Gandhi said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world!”. If you want others to stop complaining so much, you should start by changing yourself first. Next time, you find yourself surrounded by people engaged in a complaint contest, do something about it; try changing the subject or help them realize that what they are doing is actually not that productive. Set an example and get rid of this bad habit! You will feel happier, freer and you’ll learn how to enjoy more life’s little pleasures.
There are a lot of things you can do to stop complaining all the time. I just mentioned a few here but I’m sure there are many more I forgot about. So, tell me what other things someone could do in order to stop complaining so much? Please share your thoughts in the comments section!
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