The Power of Words

Full disclosure: I can be quite the complainer at times! I like to air my grievances and then call it “venting.” After I got hit with vertigo and a wave of sickness, my mental health declined significantly. So, my mom decided to play therapist on me and asked me to say out loud at least three positive things that happened each day. The best part? Focusing on the positives quickly flipped my mood.

I’ve used positive words to lift my mood before. In college, I felt very down and didn’t know what to do. My friend’s mom suggested I start a positive thoughts journal. I began writing down things I was grateful for each day, no matter how small, and over time, I noticed a big change in how I felt. Once I felt better, I stopped writing. I am considering restarting this practice.

For the past couple of weeks, I have actively worked on not complaining. I must admit that not saying the words out loud has been refreshing. I am learning how to protect my own peace, even when I am at fault. My dad has a saying, “Nobody’s going to be mean to my daughter, not even my daughter!” Venting that turns into complaining doesn’t do me (or anyone else) any good.

It’s important to acknowledge that I’m not always a “ray of sunshine,” (no matter how much I would like to be). I have some flaws, shaped by years of struggling to express myself constructively, but I’m actively working on change. I’m excited to learn how to express my feelings without slipping into complaining, as I believe this will help me bring more joy into my life and brighten the lives of those around me.