Most people I think have vented about something in their life, and most people have listened to someone else vent. And when I say vent, I mean complaining a lot about a specific thing/person for an entire conversation. Sometimes people apologize for venting, other times I've heard things like "I just have to get it off my chest." This has made me wonder about whether venting is healthy or not. I've come to the conclusion that it can be both, it just depends on how it's done.
For example one time when I was on my mission me and my companion ate at someone's house. The father of the house came home and complained about who we were working with and told us he didn't like the program that we were now working through. Needless to say we were miffed. As we drove away we had some plans to go stop by some other peoples homes but we were both so angry we didn't think that would be a good idea, so for a few minutes we vented to each other. I think it was healthy, in a way we were justifying ourselves and our work and discovering again that we were doing what we thought was right. Then we prayed, and I wanted to leave it at that. Be done. But my companion, was apparently not ready to let it go and she kept venting. That is when I think it becomes unhealthy. Instead of letting the frustration out, I think when we keep on venting about the same thing (whether it's to the same person or not) then it is just building up negative feelings instead of releasing them.
Thus I think venting is good to a certain point. It can relieve frustration, but if it continues for too long it just builds up the frustration all over again.
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