Gregorio E.

Baccay III, DPA

Think Out Loud

Email: gregbaccay@gmail.com

Online Venting
Problem is normal. It is part of life. Life seems to be worthless without it. However, nowadays
because of social media, I have observed that most of the millennials have the tendencies to inform the
whole world about their personal issues by posting on the wall of their Facebook or Tweeter accounts. Not
only young ones but even those young once have done the same thing. When one has enemy, he shouts at
his enemy online causing others to make comments and give their sides of the issue. When he does not like
his boss, he posts quotes relating to leadership or management styles in order to target the weakness of
his boss. When one has a cancer, he posts his medical condition online. When relationship fails, he posts
romantic pictures of his ex-partner together with the third party, and writes negative remarks about them.
Worse, when a relative dies, one posts online the deceased person inside a coffin to inform others of his
bereavement and litany of condolences from his so called online friends will overflow. What a world full of
complexities.

Having said those realities, have we changed the way we look at problems? Do we have now a new
paradigm of solving an issue? I have searched over the net to look for the right term over those online
realities, and I found the correct term – online venting based on the article written by Andrea Eldrige which
I will be sharing to you. Whether it involves a terrible day at work, an argument with a spouse, or just a day
when everything rubs you the wrong way, sending off angry texts, emails, or social media posts is never the
way to handle it. Even those posts that feel so therapeutic to finally get off of your chest should be steered
clear of. Online venting usually does not work out in favor of the content’s original creator. Everybody
needs to vent sometimes, which is why having a pet is always great; something to listen to you that will not
judge you no matter how odd your problems are. Unfortunately, accessing your social media profiles and
firing off a few disgruntled Tweets is much too easy in today’s world. Although the temporary adrenaline
rush may feel soothing for a short time, chances are people will take the message the wrong way, or those
not-so-close Facebook friends will share your post with their unknown friends. Before you know it, a post
that was just meant to blow off some steam has gone viral, and people are calling you crazy. According to
research, venting does not actually make you feel better at all. In fact, venting is likely to make you even
angrier due to responses or lack thereof.

Eldrige provides that the next time you feel the need to take your venting to Facebook or Twitter,
try some of these steps instead:

1. Be anonymous – You can vent your anger or frustration on the site called Muttr. You can read
peer comments, which you can choose to read or ignore. Some may offer advice or sympathize
with your plight, others may even goad you into an argument – Either way you are anonymous
and it gives you a safe place to vent, keeping your relationship with your boss intact.

2. Turn it off – Then walk away, at least until you’ve had a chance to calm down. Find a way
to distract yourself – watch funny videos online, walk it off, spend some time with your kids,
the list is endless, anything that helps you to forget your frustrations.

3. Journal it– Go ahead and write about in a Word document that you can save on
your computer. Some people are able to understand all sides of an issue if they take the time
to thoughtfully think about and present their argument. Then if the issue is still making you
angry a day or two later, go back to the letter with a clearer head and pick and edit the best-
phrased parts to take with you to talk to the other person face-to-face.