I think the world underestimates the power of good, old fashion rant. Could I live in a world without ranting? Probably. Would it be nearly as fun? Unlikely. Would I be a lot crabbier? Absolutely.
I love to rant. I'm obsessed it with. Which probably makes me sound like a terrible person to the majority of people reading this. But I'm not going to apologize for it because The Rant and I have a love affair, and, frankly, it helps me get through the day.
I am one of those people that will just be having a casual lunch and then suddenly be going on a two-minute rampage about something I saw on Facebook. Why it is wrong, why it is right, it doesn't matter. There I am, eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree, impassioned speech flying out of my mouth along with crumbs from my SAGA french fries while my friends consider whether or not to call an ambulance or campus security. And then it is like it never even happened.
The truth is that if you can rant—you care. If you can spend a lengthy period of time shouting about something—the economy, less than quality health care providers, the heated question of whether or not dogs should be forced to wear sweaters—it means you are sure enough in yourself to know your opinions and values.
And sometimes the best thing to rant about is your life. I'm not encouraging complaining. I may be wrong, but I don't like to group ranting and complaining in the same category (maybe just because it makes me feel better.) I think of a two-minute life rant as a stress reliever.
Sometimes you just gotta shout it out. Whether it be to your best friend on the way to McDonald's about that teacher that has a personal vendetta against you or to your mom on the phone about why it is stupid you don't have a boyfriend. Rant to your lunch squad. Rant to your dog. Rant to yourself. Rant to a stranger -- I don't judge. (On second thought that last one would be really awkward so maybe avoid that one.)
I love ranting just because it makes me feel better. I hate running around complaining about every little thing that bothers me. It annoys me just as much as it annoys the people around me. But we all need a little catharsis. And that is why The Rant is my favorite pastime. When enough is enough, and you just can't take it anymore, The Rant can sometimes be the perfect pill. Just don't go crazy and do it every day.
But when the timing is just right, when you just can't shake that bad mood, or when that one really aggravating thing is getting under your skin—embrace the rant. Just warn your friends it is coming and tell them to hang on for dear life. Because some big vocabulary, fervent speech, and large hand gestures are headed their way.
