A shirt changing color in the wash, getting a C on a test or stubbing your toe—these are all minor inconveniences that, while annoying, feel obnoxious to complain about. When there are so many seemingly bigger and more important problems the world is facing, it’s hard for us to justify venting about the little things. And, to add to our already-existing guilt, people around us, whether on the internet or in person, can’t stop comparing our problems to global issues, and it becomes even harder to feel validated. However, we have to allow ourselves to be annoyed about the little things, as they affect our lives and are therefore worth talking about. As long as we keep our small problems in perspective, everyone deserves to complain about life’s inconveniences.
This epidemic of constantly attacking people who are complaining about daily occurrences exists primarily online in comments sections, where users can hide behind a faceless profile. As someone harmlessly rants about a problem they faced that day, the comments are filled with statements reminding the user of the countless homeless people or those who lost their home in the Los Angeles wildfires. These statements are completely unnecessary, as any critical thinker knows that dropping your $5 Starbucks drink is not worse than losing all your possessions due to a natural disaster. This phenomenon has led to people having to preface everything they say with “I know this is a first world problem but…” People should not have to provide a disclaimer for every complaint, and everyone should simplify infer that we as a society have enough perspective to know the difference between a minor and a major problem.
Although the distinction between small and large problems is not a difficult one to make, people will find any reason they can to pick apart what they see online. This past January, the wildly successful makeup brand Tarte took around 25 influencers to Necker Island amidst the chaos of the Los Angeles wildfires. Despite their donation of over 250,000 dollars to wildfire relief, Tarte’s team came under massive criticism for being “out of touch.” On the other hand, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Oscar’s repeatedly postponed their nominations and even questioned canceling the event out of respect, they too garnered criticism, as people thought they should host the event and simply donate the proceeds. Similar to the way people pick apart the complaints of others, they are also quick to vilify the actions of big corporations, no matter the good intentions involved. It is near impossible to please everyone, so don’t let the internet’s harsh judgment hinder your right to vent.
It is important to remind ourselves to keep life’s inconveniences in perspective in comparison to the larger issues the world is facing; acknowledging the scope of your problem helps us to be grateful that our biggest problem is something so small in the grand scheme of things. But, this doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to complain about those small things. Anything that has an effect on your mood is healthy to talk about, in whatever manner that may be. Whether that means posting a video online or simply talking to a loved one, you are free to vent about your problems without having to feel the weight of comparison.
