Just Shut Up & Be Happy

Some days it feels like I am not allowed to complain because a) there are bigger problems in the world, b) I should be grateful for what I have.

Yes, I have a full-time job. Yes, I have a house. Yes, I am not constantly logging into my bank account, worrying when my next paycheck will hit. Yes, I am in a relationship that is still bound by trust and love.

I am aware of these things and I understand the privileges that I have. Still, when people say “just stop complaining and be happy,” I can’t help but feel patronized.

I would honestly give my left foot to have the ability to stop caring about everything. I dislike that I can’t clock out of work and immediately forget about my 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. work drama. I hate that there are days where just a mere speck of dust on a piece of furniture sends my brain into a downward spiral of stress. I hate that my existence feels like a burden on other people.

If I feel exploited at work, self-conscious about my body, or overwhelmed by the day’s schedule, I always hear the same sentiment: Just don’t worry about it. Stay in the present. Live your life. Don’t let other people ruin your day.

Okay. That all sounds ideal, but how do I accomplish that?

It’s easy to provide commentary about someone’s life when you’re not living in it. Do you really know what’s going on in that person’s life? Is this person even asking for your advice?

Some people, like myself, just want to complain. There’s no primary reason behind it other than just feeling frustrated and wanting to get it out.

I don’t want to constantly be reminded that my problems are just problems; mere annoyances that are fleeting, unimportant, and unnecessary.

Is it possible to just listen without speaking?

Maybe I just need to unplug from the digital world and stop complaining.

Maybe I should just shut up and be happy—that’s what everyone else is doing.