Stop Complaining. Look In The Mirror.

by Joe Stammer // in Life

August 20, 2024

You Already Know What’s Wrong

Look, I’m not here to sugarcoat anything. You keep saying things aren’t working out, that nothing’s going your way. But let’s be real - you’re the one standing in your own way half the time. We’ve all been there, stuck in a cycle of whining and waiting for things to magically get better. But when was the last time you actually took a good, honest look in the mirror?

You’ve got complaints, and that’s fine. But those complaints aren’t solving anything. If you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or whatever it is, take a moment and ask yourself: are you doing anything different? Because if you’re not, why are you expecting different results?

Stop Complaining. Look In The Mirror.

Let’s Talk About What You’re Avoiding

It’s easier to complain than to face what’s really going on. I get it. But running through the same tired excuses won’t get you anywhere. You’re quick to point out what’s wrong, but are you really digging into why things aren’t changing? It’s not always about circumstances, bad luck, or what other people are doing - it’s about what you’re doing or not doing.

Think about it:

  • You say you want to get in better shape, but when was the last time you stuck to anything consistent? It’s easy to blame time, stress, or whatever else, but you know deep down you’ve made every excuse not to get moving.
  • You’re frustrated with work, but are you really putting in the effort? If all you’re doing is showing up and going through the motions, don’t be surprised when nothing changes. Half-assing it doesn’t get you anywhere.
  • You’re not happy with your relationships, but have you looked at how you show up in them? It’s not always the other person’s fault. Sometimes, it’s about the energy you bring - or don’t bring.

The bottom line is that complaining feels good in the moment, but it’s just noise. It distracts you from facing what you need to deal with. You already know what needs fixing - you just don’t want to face it because it’s easier to blame everything else.

Stop Looking for Quick Fixes

Here’s the truth no one wants to hear: quick fixes don’t work. You know it, I know it, but we keep falling into the trap anyway. It’s like you’re waiting for some magic solution that’ll take away all the effort and discomfort. But guess what? That’s not happening.

You’ve probably jumped from one “easy” plan to the next, hoping one of them would stick, but you end up right back where you started. Why? Because anything worth doing is gonna take consistency and a lot of uncomfortable moments. That’s the part no one likes to talk about.

Think about these common traps:

  • “I’ll start next week” mindset: You keep pushing things off because you think there’ll be a better time. Newsflash: there’s never a “perfect” time. You’re just delaying because deep down, you don’t want to start.
  • Looking for hacks and shortcuts: Whether it’s quick diets, get-rich-quick schemes, or shortcuts in relationships, they all lead to the same dead end. You know what works, but it’s not glamorous, and it’s definitely not easy.
  • Trying to fix everything at once: You get fired up, decide to overhaul your life in one go, and then crash and burn when it all becomes too much. It’s because you’re spreading yourself too thin instead of focusing on what really needs attention.

You already know what works. It’s the stuff no one wants to do consistently - the stuff that doesn’t give immediate results but sets the foundation for everything else. If you’re not willing to dig into that, then all you’re doing is spinning your wheels.

Get Real About What’s in Your Control

We all love to talk about what’s unfair, what’s out of our control, and how things are just stacked against us. I’m not saying that life doesn’t throw curveballs - it definitely does. But are you spending all your time focusing on the stuff you can’t control, or are you actually doing something about the things you can?

It’s easy to get caught up in blaming outside factors. But let’s be honest - how much time have you wasted worrying about things you can’t change instead of focusing on what you could be doing differently?

Here’s some perspective:

  • You can’t control how other people act, but you control how you respond: If someone’s being difficult, you have the choice to either get dragged into their negativity or keep your head clear and focused on your own actions.
  • You can’t control every setback, but you control how you bounce back: Shit happens. You get knocked down, something doesn’t go your way, plans fall apart. But what you do next is always up to you.
  • You can’t control luck, but you control how prepared you are when opportunities do show up: Waiting around for luck is just wasting time. When you’re ready and doing the work, you’re already ahead when things break your way.

The more time you spend pointing fingers at everything outside yourself, the less time you’re taking care of what’s in your hands. And let’s be real - it’s not that things are out of your control; it’s that you’re avoiding the responsibility of dealing with what’s in your control.

Complaining Isn’t Getting You Anywhere

Face the Facts: Complaining Isn’t Getting You Anywhere

You’ve been venting for a while now, and I get it - sometimes you need to blow off steam. But once that’s done, where does it leave you? If you’re just talking in circles, what’s the point? You’re in the same spot, with the same frustrations, and no closer to anything changing. Complaining without action is like revving an engine with no intention of driving anywhere.

We’ve all been there - feeling stuck and wanting to vent. But if that’s all you’re doing, you’re just adding noise to the situation without making any real moves. Eventually, it becomes a loop: complain, feel stuck, complain again, repeat.

Here’s what that loop looks like:

  • You complain about your situation to feel like you’re doing something: Venting gives a temporary sense of release, but it’s not actually solving anything. It just makes you feel like you’re addressing the problem without really tackling it.
  • You find someone to agree with your complaints, so it feels justified: Misery loves company. You get that nod of agreement from someone else, which makes you feel like you’re right, even though nothing’s changing.
  • You feel stuck and go back to square one: After the temporary relief wears off, you’re left with the same situation and the same frustrations because nothing was actually done to change it.

Complaining is easy. Taking real steps toward what’s bothering you is hard. But if you’re tired of the cycle, then you already know what needs to happen - you’ve gotta break it by doing something, anything, that isn’t just talking about it.

The Mirror Won’t Lie to You

It’s time to look in the mirror - literally. When you’re face-to-face with yourself, all the excuses and complaints don’t hold up. You see exactly who’s responsible for where you’re at. That reflection isn’t lying to you. You know what you’re avoiding, what you’re slacking on, and where you’re making excuses. It’s all right there, staring back at you.

When you strip away all the noise, it’s just you and the truth of what you’re doing or not doing. The mirror doesn’t care about the reasons or justifications - it just shows the facts. So, what do you see when you really look?

Think about these moments:

  • When you look in the mirror, what do you see in your eyes? Do you see someone who’s taking ownership of where they’re at, or someone who’s deflecting and blaming everything else?
  • Are you living up to what you know you could be doing? Deep down, you already know the answer to this. If you’re not meeting your own standards, that’s on you.
  • Does your reflection match the person you say you want to be? The mirror doesn’t show potential, plans, or promises - it shows exactly where you are right now.

It’s a reality check that’s hard to ignore. If you’re serious about changing things, start by being honest with yourself. No more hiding behind complaints or excuses. You know what needs to be done, and it’s time to hold yourself accountable to that.

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Either Do Something About It, or Stop Complaining

At the end of the day, it’s pretty simple: either do something about what’s bothering you, or stop complaining. You’ve got the power to make changes, even if they’re small ones. But if all you’re gonna do is keep talking about it without taking action, you’re wasting your own time and everyone else’s.

So, what’s it gonna be? You’re either gonna face the stuff you’ve been avoiding, take a step forward, and quit with the excuses - or you’re gonna keep whining and stay stuck. But if you choose the latter, at least be real about it and stop expecting things to magically change.

Here’s the takeaway:

  • You already know what needs to be done: It’s just a matter of getting off your ass and doing it. Complaining won’t make it easier.
  • Small moves beat big talk every time: A single step forward is worth more than hours of venting and overthinking.
  • If you’re not ready to change, stop pretending like you are: If you’re not willing to do the work, don’t act like it’s anyone else’s fault.

You’ve got a choice - either take control of what’s yours to handle or stay in the same spot, complaining about the same problems. But if you’re serious about making changes, it’s time to cut the bullshit and get real with yourself.

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About the author 

Joe Stammer

I'm an ex-narcotic with a stutter, dedicated to helping drug addicts on their path to recovery through writing. I offer empathy and guidance to those who are struggling, fostering hope and resilience in their pursuit of a substance-free life. My message to those struggling is simple - seek help, don't waste your life, and find true happiness.

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