I am setting out to make a change.
I have a habit that annoys me to no end, and I’m actually quite sure it annoys others around me too. Because negativity and complaining and pointing out the yuck parts of a circumstance is annoying. And I do that way.too.much.
I remember distinctly the first time I had someone tell me that I was a negative person. It actually kinda wrecked me for a little while, because I wasn’t used to that kind of criticism, even the helpful and constructive kind. But then I realized this person was right: I was a complainer.
I worked on it for a while, and it got better. I was conscious of when I was being a complainer and shut myself off from saying something when it wasn’t helpful or constructive. But I feel like lately I’ve fallen into the trap of complaining again, and I’m ready to stop. I complain about the silliest things really…being too cold, electronics not working like I think they should, slow cars in the fast lane, traffic in general, slow service at a restaurant, non-perfect coffee, cold food, etc. etc. etc. Some days I have this running tally of all the things that aren’t quite right, and it’s just annoying now.
So I’m setting out to make a change.
I’m taking a week to focus in on not complaining. I’m giving myself fifty dollars to spend on something for myself, but every time I utter a complaint during the next seven days, five dollars gets deducted from that amount. Maybe I’ll have enough left over at the end to at least buy a new pair of socks or something. Oh, oops…was that negative? Thankfully I haven’t started the challenge yet, hehe.
I’m really hoping that to take these seven days to focus on changing this bad habit of mine will make me really think about my words and the spirit I project with them. Cheers to positivity!
What about you: do you find it easy to speak out the negative things of a circumstance or happening? How are you intentional about being positive in spite of negative things?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Good luck with your challenge! I have to admit it made me chuckle, and I do hope you end up with more than a pair of socks! Something that helps me with complaining is to think whether or not my complaint can change anything. Not that it's okay to complain if it WOULD change the situation, but most often I can't change the slow traffic, wonky phone, and most unfortunately, the bad cup of coffee. 🙂 Have a good week! Kayla
This is so fantastic. And even though negativity is easier for some of us than others, we all have to deal with it. Maybe i'll add this to my 15 goals for the year.
Haha, I hope I end up with more than socks too…I'm already down to $45 today so far, oops! 🙂 I like what you said about thinking if what you say about something has the ability to change it. It's a good filter to think through for our words! Thanks for reading!
Negativity is so easy, partially because we surrounded by it (media, news, sarcasm, etc.). It's all about being intentional about going against the natural culture we live in! I'd love to see what the rest of your goals are…blog post??? 😉