What is complaining for? Who is it for?

No matter how I slice it, complaining feels like a way to say, “I’m not feeling seen, and I want to feel seen, and this is a way for me to force you to see me… because you are sympathetic and will have pity on me.” But what if I’m wrong? What if it’s something more?

Complaining could be our way to signal that we need help. It requires us to be vulnerable. If that’s true, how do we complain better?

Perhaps we need to complain through a question. Instead of saying, “here’s what’s wrong with my world” what if we asked, “Here’s what I’m trying to accomplish, here’s what I’m trying to do, what am I missing?”

Those of us likely prefer to help you reach your goal than listen to you moan. Perhaps.