Life’s an unpredictable adventure with twists and turns that take us up and down – it just is.
It’s interesting how some people complain about things we rarely notice.
Negative people, in particular, tend to bemoan the littlest of inconveniences that are beyond their control.
Wanna know someone’s outlook on life? Check the things they gripe about. Only negative people complain about these 11 things:
1) The weather
The weather may seem a little shallow. But let me tell you – negative people often tend to dampen the mood and spoil the fun.
The weather never seems to behave for them – either too hot, cold, or rainy to enjoy.
To them, there’s always something wrong with the weather and they’ll make sure everyone around them knows it!
These Negative Nancys always find a way to shift the blame when things don’t go as planned. If the forecast doesn’t match their expectations, they point fingers at global warming. Even when clouds block out the sun, they’ll grumble about a streak of bad luck.
Let’s face it, they’ll complain about anything if it’s not sunny and 75 degrees with a gentle breeze.
2) Traffic and commuting
To the pessimist, traffic and commuting are another cause of complaint and dissatisfaction.
No matter how many benefits modern transportation gives us, those who focus on the negative will always find a reason to complain – be it delays, cost, or even the unpredictability of the ride.
They’ll be venting about the endless buildups regardless of time or location.
This attitude can cause undue stress and frustration, harming both mental and physical health.
Think road rage and commuting chaos – both of which are inevitable with a negative attitude.
This brings me to the next one on my list:
3) Waiting
A great day can turn sour in the blink of an eye if we’re made to wait.
But to be honest, not everyone sees waiting in the same light.
Negative people often take this out on those around them and curse their luck for having to wait.
Maybe they expect to be given preferential treatment over everyone else or think that their time’s more important than anyone else’s.
We’ve all been there – waiting in some never-ending line at the airport, the dreaded doctor’s office, or even just the checkout counter. Every passing moment feels like an eternity as time taunts us, pushing us to the brink of impatience.
Think about it: some people get personally offended when the world doesn’t cater to what they want.
Being in this mindset can make people restless and cranky, putting a damper on their relationships and interactions.
4) Work culture and office politics
Let’s be real: every company isn’t perfect. There will be always something about the work culture that won’t sit right with some people.
Negative people will be the first to criticize office politics and hierarchy.
They’ll quickly complain about any minor changes or new rules that companies might introduce, regardless of how beneficial they might be for all employees.
They’ll also find something wrong with their Boss’s management style – even when it has been working out quite well.
It’s not a surprise that they often lack team spirit and rarely work together as part of the larger whole.
With that said, this will most probably affect how they approach their job.
5) Their job
According to an article in Forbes, an unpleasant colleague can negatively impact your work experience or even career trajectory.
So no matter how great their job is, work just won’t be enjoyable if someone has a pessimistic attitude.
People like this almost always find something wrong with their job or workplace and complain about it, from their seemingly negative co-workers to the pseudo-stressful email threads.
They’ll focus on the bad more than the good, always searching for something to pick at or gripe about.
Obviously, low morale and unhealthy work habits can negatively affect overall performance. This demeanor often leads to a lack of fulfillment and job satisfaction, further impacting overall well-being.
Imagine how they’d react to the successes of other people in the workplace.
6) Other people’s success
Do you want to know a secret?
A chronic complainer often doesn’t like the success of other people.
It’s not that they’re necessarily jealous or competitive. It reflects their pessimistic outlook on life.
These types of people will find something wrong with the accomplishments of others and question how they achieved them, even if there’s nothing suspicious about their success.
They’ll also make comparisons and play the blame game, assuming that everyone else got what they wanted without putting in any effort.
Some people feel unhappy when they see others succeeding, which can create a hostile workplace and a negative impact on those around them.
7) The economy
It’s true: our world isn’t perfect. Neither is the economy.
Despite our best efforts, negative people always find something to grumble about.
Maybe they don’t believe in certain economic policies or think that the government could do better. Basically, because of this, their own lives seem unsatisfying.
An unstable economy can be disheartening. Unfortunately, some pessimists magnify the negatives more than the positives.
They’ll complain about how people are living paycheck to paycheck – or worse – blaming particular individuals or organizations for their own financial struggles.
They’ll make excuses for why things aren’t working out and criticize rather than take action.
8) Life’s responsibilities
Living your life responsibly is hard. Sometimes, we all grapple with the weight of our obligations.
But for a person with a negative personality, life’s responsibilities can seem unbearable.
They complain about mundane tasks – work, bills, and health – and may forget to take responsibility for themselves and their actions.
You see, positive people have much power and potential to be productive, but negative people won’t even bother.
They risk becoming stagnant and complacent, watching life pass them by without making any headway.
9) Change
When you see a Facebook post on social media or receive a newsletter about a new program or service, chances are that people with negative personalities won’t be interested in it.
They may dismiss the notion of trying something different, convinced of their superior knowledge.
Here’s the thing: change is challenging but necessary for growth.
The problem is, negative people don’t like to take risks because it could lead to failure.
They tend to resist change and just have negative thoughts and complain about it when it happens. Their body language and words may even come off as hostile.
This frame of mind hinders adaptability and resilience when facing new challenges and experiences that may bring about change.
10) Politics
Bonding over politics can be interesting. It could raise your blood pressure because of differing opinions.
Here’s the thing: negative people and politics can be a dangerous combination.
They can easily become agitated and might start complaining about politicians or policies that they don’t agree with. This can even lead to name-calling, blame game mindset, and conspiracy theories.
When people are convinced they’re right, facts and evidence won’t necessarily change their minds. Instead, they tend to complain and avoid taking responsibility for their actions or thoughts.
Negative people are quick to point fingers and assign blame before actually analyzing the situation.
They may dismiss those who disagree politically, leading to tension and hostility between parties.
Needing validation from arguments and conversations can be a damaging habit when navigating politics. This slippery slope tends to bring negativity and distress, something we seek to avoid.
11) Themselves
People who have a pessimistic outlook often lack self-compassion.
They like to fixate on their faults, leading to guilt, shame, and poor mental health, rather than taking a broad perspective. This toxic cycle of negativity can be tough to break free from.
Despite any efforts to turn them toward positivity, they may be more likely to complain and remain mired in their own misery.
For them, venting is the right way to cope with their emotions and problems. It’s the only way to process what’s going on in their lives.
However, this type of complaining quickly loses its effectiveness and can even create more negativity within themselves.
Actively practicing self-compassion is essential for mental health and overall well-being. It allows one to approach life’s challenges with a positive mindset instead of fixating on shortcomings or failures.
Final thoughts
Think about this for a minute: according to psychologist Dr. Guy Winch, complaining and negativity can bond people. It makes us feel connected when we share dissatisfaction about something.
But don’t mistake complaining for a positive way of life. Nobody likes negative people, and they can be difficult to be around.
Negative people not only complain, but they also drain those around them. With this list, you can recognize excessive complaining in yourself or others.
So try the gratitude practice and reframing your outlook to a more positive one can help individuals combat negativity.
Ultimately, it’ll also be beneficial in improving relationships, understanding situations better, and enjoying life more.