Oh do stop moaning

[Maykal]

Some people are just born moaning, it's their personality. Like being happy or sad. Take a moaner, give him a million quid, he'll celebrate, but within a month he'll be moaning about how people treat him differently and how the tax man is screwing him for all his worth.

I think my OH takes the biscuit for best moan ever. She came home from work about a month ago in tears, swearing at her boss, flinging things around, thumping the desk. Why? Because she'd received a 15% pay increase. Go figure. I tried pointing out to her that she's lucky to have a job, especially in a recession, lucky not to have had her salary reduced like many, luckier to keep the same salary. Nothing. She was really peeved and moaned endlessly for a couple of days.

[Milims]

I'd love to join the happy throng, I'm usually a very positive person - but until life stops throwing (literally) death, destruction and general mayhem at me I think my wrists would be chaffed to bits - giving me more to moan about!

[sleepyowl]

Andy you could make one friendship band style from wool. Would posting on my blog be considered moaning? I tend to evaluate more than moan but would that still come under moaning? If it does count as moaning I'm out.

[Andy Hamilton]

Actually, I think the point is that although some people do moan more than others and its to do with how they are wiring their brains. Apparently, just as you can learn things like driving a car or touch typing through repetition so you can learn behaviour. This fits into that camp; by consiously moaning less we are attempting to re-wire our brains which may mean a happier life at the end of the experiment.

Hmm... Sleepy, well I guess its still moaning but it depends if you think it counts or not.

Right, couldn't find a braclet so I have a paper clip on my shirt cuff instead. Experiment started 20.13- 10th March 2012.

[Millymollymandy]

How many times has it been changed so far? I have been a bit more conscious about moaning since you started this thread but half the time I probably wouldn't notice if I did or not.

[Potter's Farm]

I was going to try this and went out and bought a bracelet but when I got home I found that the catch was faulty and had to take it back and complain.

Ha ha ha!!!

I try to remember, if I can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

[boboff]

We should try and get all the BBC journalists and such like to try this, it would be changing everytime they say anything.

I agree it is learnt behaviour and getting worse by the month. The old addage that Englishness is defined by some inability to complain is now firmly utter balls!

But isn't even that opinion a moan? I suppose it is, so not moaning is to let go without comment?

I am out!

[Saralexis]

I agree it is learnt behaviour and getting worse by the month. The old addage that Englishness is defined by some inability to complain is now firmly utter balls!

I think there is a distinction between a complaint and a moan. Complaining sounds negative but it can be constructive and aimed at reaching a positive outcome... A moan is not only negative but not constructive.

Do you have to stop complaining, or just moaning?

Sarah

[oldjerry]

I think in most cases a moan is a complaint against yourself or one you don't agree with.

The idea that you should only criticise constructively ie if you have a worthy alternative seems a tad Stalinst to me.

[Andy Hamilton]

Yep, I was struggling a bit with the moan or complaint. I think for the purposes of this you can just make your own mind up. I'm sure when it comes out you work out what counts. The whole point is just to make you aware of what you do moan about.

For the record I'm on 4.

[Thomzo]

4 in one day! Can't moan about that

Zoe

[Andy Hamilton]

Ok, I think I'm down to about one moan a day. It's interesting I'm finding myself looking at things differently, when I'm about to moan about something I'll try and find a positive instead. Is it lifting my mood? Well, actually I'm not sure if its the signs of spring that are doing a better job but I am pretty happy right now.

[gregorach]

The old addage that Englishness is defined by some inability to complain is now firmly utter balls!

I always thought that referred to an inability to complain to anyone who actually matters... You know, that thing where people tell the waiter that everything's fine and the food is lovely, and then spend the rest of the evening moaning privately about how awful it was? My grandmother's terrible for that.

Apparently, just as you can learn things like driving a car or touch typing through repetition so you can learn behaviour. This fits into that camp; by consiously moaning less we are attempting to re-wire our brains which may mean a happier life at the end of the experiment.

This is the basic principle of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I've certainly found it very effective.

[trinder]

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Really one of the most arh ping moments in my life was this.I could ramble on for hours, but it was the right time for me and so must it be for others. it didn't so much change my life but it gave me the tools to start. By the way I still don't get things right

[Susie]

I've been doing this (not with a bracelet but just trying to notice when I do it), and, I'm truly astonished by how often I moan and about such banal things! O_O. Hopefully it will get less (less moaning, not less banal).

I thought I was reasonably cheery but I seem to be like Kevin the Teenager...