Inquiry Topic

To complain is to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about a state of affairs or an event. Who likes to listen to someone complain? Not only does complaining stimulate negativity, but it also portrays a lack of humility and gratefulness. I believe that complaints are a huge social problem in modern society. Students can’t go a day without whining about free education, people who live in America especially cannot go hours without using the words “I’m starving,” and kids nowadays cannot go a day without being entertained. Not only is this a problem we are surrounded with, but it is especially an issue that I struggle with. Too many times throughout the day do I say, “I’m bored, I have so much homework, I’m tired, I’m hungry.” Can I even go a day without grumbling? This is the issue that I will be experimenting on, because I want to test myself. Not only to people who complain stress me out, but I stress myself out the most. From this experiment, I would like to break my habit of complaining and/or be more cautious and aware with my thoughts. A past New Year’s Resolution of mine was to be more thankful in all circumstances. However, whining is nowhere similar to being grateful. My experiment will last a week long and this is the rule that I will abide by: from day to night I will try my best not to complain, and if I do, I will record the number of times I do it.  Every day I will come up with new ideas to decrease my source of complaining. For accurate experimental purposes, I will have reliable friends throughout the day updated and point out any complaints I am unaware of. Psychologists are experts that have knowledge on this issue to describe the cause and side effects of complaining. They also certainly may have advice. In my writing, I will also include observations throughout class, in my dorm, and group events to see how often people easily complain. I do not think my experiment will be successful, nor will I never complain again, but I do believe I will accomplish to control my thoughts and words more.