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Happy Sunday 👋🏾,

It’s that time of year when everyone’s jumping on New Year challenges—be it Veganuary, Dry January, or even the Brutal 75 Hard. I don’t mind a good challenge and have given many a go before, but one caught my eye this year: 21 days of no complaining.

I’m not going to lie; I’ve developed a habit of complaining. I’m not sure when it started, but let’s blame it on getting older (that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it). I can complain about almost anything: slow Wi-Fi, dodgy parking, a glass that's only 3/4 full or Sheriden squeezing the toothpaste from the middle—seriously, who does that?

So when I spotted this challenge, I thought, “Why not give it a go?” I even tried to recruit Sheriden and a couple of friends over dinner during Christmas, but they weren’t having it, and they probably didn't think I could manage it either. So, on the 6th of January, I went solo.

I nailed it for the first three hours—no complaints, no moaning. By lunchtime, though, I was back at square one. That’s the catch with this challenge: you must start the day over every time you complain. By day three, I’d restarted so many times I lost count. Some days, I didn’t even make it to breakfast without complaining. On other days, I’d restart three times before noon.

Even when I stayed quiet, I wasn’t winning. Instead of complaining out loud, I’d bottle it up, slowly stewing inside, and trust me, that didn’t feel good either.

By Thursday of the second week, I realised this wasn’t working. I’d only managed one full day without complaining—and that was a quiet work-from-home day with no meetings. So, I called it quits. But despite failing the challenge, I learned a lot about myself, my habits, and what complaining means.

What I Learned

Although I didn’t complete the challenge, it made me realise a few important things:

1. I didn’t realise how much I complain.​
   I thought I knew, but this challenge opened my eyes to how much it had become a habit. It’s not just the big things—this taught me that I was complaining about small, everyday things far more often than I realised.
2. Constantly moaning about small things puts you in a negative cycle.​
   It affects your mood and drains energy in ways that aren’t worth it. Calling something or someone out is one thing, but holding onto it or stewing over it takes away from the positive energy you could use elsewhere.
3. Are you being part of the solution?​
   This was a big realisation for me. If you’re not trying to fix the problem or move past it, what’s the point of complaining? It just drags the issue out and makes you feel worse. Learning to either address things or let them go has been a game-changer.
4. The little things matter most.​
   This challenge made me appreciate what I usually complain about, like when Zeek jumps on my head while I’m trying to watch Arsenal (not bottle the Premier League this time, hopefully). Yes, it’s frustrating, but I also prayed for it. I wanted to be here with him, healthy and happy enough for him to jump all over me.
5. Gratitude changes everything.​
   When I focused on what I was grateful for, my whole outlook shifted. The mess in the kitchen? That’s a sign of a busy house. Deadlines piling up? That’s a sign of good work coming in, but complaining doesn’t fix those things. Gratitude makes them much easier to deal with.

So, what now?

Would I try this challenge again? Maybe—but not in one of the most stressful months of the year. Right now, we’re prepping for the Google Teaching Theatre at BETT, and the deadlines are rolling in fast. But even though I failed this time, I’ve taken a lot away from the experience.

I’m not going to stop complaining entirely—it’s not realistic. But I’ll be more mindful of what I complain about and how long I let it live in my head. Most importantly, I’ll keep practising gratitude because that makes the difference.
​
​Let’s Be Grateful

This challenge reminded me of all the reasons I have to be grateful. I get to go to the gym, even when my health isn’t always great. I spend time with my family, even when things are chaotic. Life might not always be perfect, but I’m still here, doing my best with what I’ve got—and it’s a fantastic life.

So, how do you see your life? Is your glass half-full or half-empty

What about you? Could you go 21 days without complaining? Or have you ever tried a challenge that taught you something unexpected? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear about it!

Quote of the Week

Have a great week!

Lawrence

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