The Day of No Complaining

Mood: thankful


Okay guys. Here's the deal. I spend way too much time on Pinterest. Seriously. It's probably not healthy. I currently work writing keyword content articles which requires me to spend a good chunk of my day in front of the computer, clicking between research and writing tabs. And, of course, Pinterest.

So this morning before I started writing I spent some time browsing looking for nail art I'll never be able to recreate, hairstyles I can't pull off and outfits that look good only on skinny, fit women. I'm seriously addicted, you guys. But I also love looking at the quotes and humor sections just for little pick me ups. Today I happened upon a pin that essentially said:

SPEND ONE DAY NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT A THING AND WATCH YOUR LIFE IMPROVE

I liked it and moved on with my day. Opened my writing tabs, started researching articles on Las Vegas. And yet this pin stuck with me. As I was reading about the luxurious hotels and spa amenities I started to think, ugh...why do I have to write an article about how to score deals on these awesome hotels when Jeff and I won't be able to take a vacation for...um....25 years or so. Maybe then we'll have enough money for a vacation.

And then I got kinda salty. I mean, our 2 year anniversary is on Tuesday. Our plan was to do what we did last year, spend a night in Omaha eating the best sushi ever and hanging out at the lounge where we very first discussed getting married. But. Um. This year. We'll be spending our anniversary in a hospital. And the weekend recovering.

I started to get annoyed and I took a break from research for a minute. As I tabbed to Pinterest I thought about the pin I had read and my mood instantly changed.

And I made myself a promise. I am going to spend all day without complaining one, single time. And then, I'm going to do it again tomorrow. And the next day.

I complain a lot. And I think I probably do  it more than I'm aware because I complain all day about really little things. I have a headache, the dogs are annoying, I can't find anything to eat (which really means there's plenty but I don't feel like making anything...) and the list goes on. And over the course of the day that wears on me. And it's got to wear on Jeff who hears it all day.

So today, on Friday the 13th of September 2013 I am going to spend a full day not complaining about a thing. Nothing. Instead I'm going to keep my mouth shut if I have something negative to say and think positive thoughts when I start to feel annoyed or scared or anxious.

Jeff and I are in a very scary place now. Physically as we worry about Jeff's health and financially as Jeff works incredibly hard to keep the family afloat. But focusing on that only paralyzes me. It makes me unable to concentrate on the good that is in my life. It stops me from being able to write and earn money and it stops me from enjoying the happy moments that occur each day.

And even though everything outside of me says right now, things just SUCK for Jeff and I, internally I feel completely calm and at peace. And rather than freak out about that calm, I'm going to embrace it. I'm going to laugh with Jeff and watch horrendously crappy TV all weekend as I write. I'm going to make inappropriate jokes with him and eat supper with him and kiss him and remember that there is so, so much good in our lives. We love each other. We support each other. We have an amazing son who learns new things every single day and loves everything about his life. I'm taking a page from his book and stopping to wonder at things and smile and laugh.

And I'm not complaining. I'm going to just spend at least this one day free from the negativity in my own head. And hopefully, that does improve my outlook. And thus our lives.