The Art Of Venting
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Art Of Venting

Considerations for creating your best vent yet.

140
The Art Of Venting
Pexels

Let’s be real. Everyone vents at least once in a while. It’s human nature to over-analyze and verbalize our problems to anyone willing to listen. Once our complaints reach a new peak, though, it becomes a vent session. While it may not seem like much, there is actually a method to prevent your madness. Combine your complaints with a little technical finesse, and you can transform even the least productive venting session into a work of art.

To begin, consider the following three essential steps:

1. Gather your information.

After all, venting can’t be productive without a fully stocked arsenal. Start with the most recent details and drama, of course, but feel free to relate the new information back to past facts. A pattern often proves the problem. This is one instance in which quality and quantity are equal. However, be sure to guarantee accuracy, even if it decreases your evidence. If unchecked rumors breed the majority of your complaints, it’s less venting than gossiping.

While it might seem tempting to incorporate the other person’s reputation and personality into your venting, try to focus on relevant instances and material. Remember, you can’t change people, and you will only drive yourself mad finding fault with every single detail about someone or something else. Minimize the subject so that you don’t draw out the venting.

2. Choose your confidante.

Consider what is most helpful or necessary for you right now. Do you want someone unbiased, someone who doesn’t know the other person at all or someone who has an equal relationship with you both? If you need to vent right away, be aware that you might choose convenience over confidence and reveal the drama to anyone. Similarly, if you just want to complain and not necessarily find any resolution, you could very easily and successfully vent to someone who has also taken issue with the same person or situation in the past. On the other hand, if you want to vent to find a solution, be more selective than just an acquaintance. Choose your most trusted adviser or companion, even if he or she isn’t a certified counselor. Sometimes a little friendly advice can go a long way.

Of course, no matter which category your confidante falls in, make sure that your vent session remains private if desired. Above all else, choose your confidante according to his or her level of trustworthiness. You might also want to reevaluate whose side your partner is really on. If you go to a friend of the problem’s source, you should expect your words and emotions to get passed around.

3. Decide your expected results.

Honestly take a minute and ask yourself how much this really matters. Not to kill your venting vibe, but does a less serious issue even need much contemplation? Are you just venting to complain? If it’s a small and unavoidable thing like encountering a bad driver, then your venting session is probably going to be short and soon forgotten. However, do you vent for advice and hope for a positive solution? What about venting with the expectation of later confronting the person or situation? Even though it might not seem important in the heat of the moment, a little consideration about desired results could save you some time and sidestep the confusion.

Whatever you decide, just remember that eventually you will have to move on. You can’t focus on one bad thing or series after another forever. Also, think about whether or not the issue is worth seething over and sharing. Once you vent you can’t take it back, even if you manage to successfully blame it on a sour mood. You might even want to sleep on it then return to the complaint at a later and less emotional day. If you do choose to vent, just try to do it maturely so that you won’t have later regrets. Keep venting an art form, not a lifestyle.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50457
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32248
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955569
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180673
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments