Information Age Education

Take a Vacation from Complaining

March 3rd, 2007

Spring break isn’t quite here yet, but you don’t need to wait to take a vacation. You can start today! Take a vacation from complaining.

When people complain, they actually enforce and unfortunately attract more negative experiences. Taking the simple action of not complaining can shift the energy in your life in dramatic and joyous ways. The Secret is to focus on the things that bring you joy.

I like to do take a vacation from complaining with my students. It can really make teaching and learning a much more pleasant experience when the room isn’t filled with tattling and whining. Of course, students are still encouraged to set healthy boundaries and have them respected, but the finger pointing can be erased with a collective intention.

On Monday, I am going to invite my students to take a vacation from complaining with me. I will have them write “day 1″ in their daily planners marking the beginning of the vacation. We will also determine how long we’re going to take a vacation from complaining. We’ll write the end date in the planner as well. Each week on our warm-ups we’ll take a couple of minutes to write a reflection on how we’re enjoying the vacation.

I usually like to set the vacations for 30 days. 40 days is also a nice amount of time for a vacation, especially if the number 40 has spiritual significance for you. Lent is a great time to give up complaining. Well, by the time this vacation is over, Spring Break will have arrived and I can go on another vacation.

44 Comments Add your own

1. » happiness carniva&hellip | March 4th, 2007 at 2:58 pm

[…] Rebecca Newburn presents Take a Vacation from�Complaining posted at Information Age Education, saying, “Take a vacation from complaining. It’ll make you and those around you happier.” […]
2. Wisdom of Healing »&hellip | March 10th, 2007 at 9:58 am

I think that Rebecca Newburn is really onto something vital here! She suggests that we: Take a Vacation fromComplaining posted on her compassionately written site Information Age Education. Thank you, Rebecca. I bet many of your students realize what a gift they have in your deeply sourced teachings.
3. Modern Sage Online: Pract&hellip | March 16th, 2007 at 8:54 am

[…] Rebecca Newburn presents Take a Vacation from�Complaining posted at Information Age Education, saying, “Take a vacation from complaining. It’s a simple thing you can do to change your life.” […]
4. Suldog | March 16th, 2007 at 10:48 am

Hi, Rebecca:

Your submission will be appearing in “A Carnival Of Hijacked Holidays” come Monday. Thanks!

Jim Sullivan
5. Jethro Jones | March 17th, 2007 at 8:32 pm

This is an excellent idea. Thanks.
6. Holistic Health » C&hellip | April 1st, 2007 at 7:12 pm

[…] I think that Rebecca Newburn is really onto something vital here! She suggests that we: Take a Vacation fromComplaining posted on her compassionately written site Information Age Education. Thank you, Rebeca. I bet many of your students realize what a gift they have in your deeply sourced teachings. […]
7. Carnival of Good Stuff #4&hellip | April 4th, 2007 at 8:03 am

[…] Rebecca Newburn presents Take a Vacation from Complaining posted at Information Age Education. […]
8. Godly Family Carnival at &hellip | July 6th, 2007 at 4:01 am

[…] In this category is a wonderful post that I think that we could all practice in our daily lives. Rebecca Newburn writes a post about taking a vacation, but not an ordinary vacation. She talks about Take a Vacation from Complaining. How true it is that if we would just spend time looking at our blessings and the things that are going right we would have an entirely different outlook on things. We tend to reinforce our perspective on the world based on how we process what we see. If we spend too much time focusing on the negative, that is all that we’ll see. […]
9. Joe | February 19th, 2008 at 3:24 am

haha - love the concept.

I gotta admit though, I really enjoy a good compaining session.
10. Grand Cayman Islands | February 26th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

This is really good advice, but it is easier said than done. Most people can’t help but complain, it is in their blood. However, if you are able to accomplish this, your life will be a lot happier.
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13. Watch Gossip Girl Online | September 2nd, 2008 at 9:14 pm

40 days is a great amount of time for a vacation. I’ve done many trips for that length of time and the personal reflection it affords is wonderful.
14. Miracle Breast Reduction | September 24th, 2008 at 5:41 pm

I like the idea and have noticed myself that those who complain a lot tend to find themselves in rather poor situations. I try to refrain from complaining whenever possible and have found it to be rewarding.
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16. DressUp | November 21st, 2008 at 6:27 pm

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18. Go Green Car Loan | January 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 am

I think that Rebecca Newburn is really onto something vital here! She suggests that we: Take a Vacation fromComplaining posted on her compassionately written site Information Age Education. Thank you, Rebeca. I bet many of your students realize what a gift they have in your deeply sourced teachings. […]
19. Busana Muslim | January 6th, 2009 at 4:58 am

wow , awesome idea.
thank you , great article
20. Costa Rica Vacation | January 19th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

I moved out of the States a few years ago and haven’t looked back… I don’t worry about much of anything anymore!
21. Karl Cook | February 12th, 2009 at 2:12 am

this is an excellent idea. Complaining is stressful.. might apply this technique to my students too.:)
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24. Baby Log Application | March 3rd, 2009 at 2:44 am

complains should never be made. If you have some problems then contact the person you like and tell him everything.
25. ikalangita | March 10th, 2009 at 3:41 am

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28. LMS | April 16th, 2009 at 6:21 pm

Great stuff there. Certainly some truthful and informative information. vacation is one big part of my life. i live a really busy and tight schedule. And a vacation is my only way to kick back an relax for few days before getting back to a hectic schedule.
29. Learning Management System | April 20th, 2009 at 6:32 am

Thank you for the article. Good approach, will likely try it for my teaching experience.
30. Detroit PPC Management | May 5th, 2009 at 10:38 am

Information age, a brilliant idea! Theres nothing like looking forward to great vacation! Thanks for sharing the article!
31. Green Lawn Paint | May 6th, 2009 at 6:28 am

complains should never be made. If you have some problems then contact the person you like and tell him everything.
32. airfares | May 11th, 2009 at 6:00 pm

That’s some really good information to everyone. A vacation is needed by all at least once every year. It takes you out of the repetitive life style and lets you enjoy your life for few days.
33. Company Logo Design | May 24th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

Excellent idea. I agree with the fact that complaining shouldn’t be done. Instead we can discuss and come to a solution. Very good way to deal with students i must say
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the stuff is really gonna done. I like your post, looking forward for the next one like this. thnks
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36. Movie Club | June 12th, 2009 at 3:50 am

It’s all about your state of mind! This is a great exercise, and one that can’t do anything but make your overall psychological outlook better. Great ideas.
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38. Liya @ Liyathabara | June 21st, 2009 at 2:53 am

Thanks for this usefull information. I hope to read more in future
39. konferens | June 23rd, 2009 at 3:35 am

This article is very inspiring and so true. I wanted to give an informative speech to my class about what’s really going on in our economy but no one liked the idea. So now I will support this article and present the truth to my class.
40. new music | July 28th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

Interesting and very much true article. Complaining about stuff just keep adding negative hings on to you and just causes unwanted headache. Just get over whatever it is and forget about the problem. Simple as that
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43. perde modelleri | September 10th, 2009 at 7:47 am

In this category is a wonderful post that I think that we could all practice in our daily lives. Rebecca Newburn writes a post about taking a vacation, but not an ordinary vacation.
44. Flueless Gas Fires | September 14th, 2009 at 9:44 am

Complaining is so easy to do, its the basic excuse for anything and everything when it all goes wrong! If you ever find a person that does not complain, you will notice how happy and jolly that person is..I guess we all need to take that vacation from complaining huh?