Anti-Blah Behaviors

In order to consider yourself living your life anti-blah, you have to adhere to some particular behaviors. Not as a rule per se, but as a given.

The very first one is not having passive-aggressive tendencies. Using passive-aggressive ways at reacting toward others and their behaviors is the very opposite of being anti-blah. Essentially, do and say as you feel, but maintain a certain level of awareness to whom you are talking to (or around) as the case may be. This isn't to say use censorship, but rather, kindness. You can address an issue head-on without being, for lack of a better word, a bitch. But, being passive-aggressive about things doesn't help anyone out, especially yourself. So, don't give people the cold shoulder or ignore them or say vague things. Just speak your mind and try not to hurt other people's feelings.

The second very important AB behavior (that really comes from the first one) is don't bottle things up. That is absolutely the worst thing you can do. It festers and festers and then you may forget to use kindness when you (wo)man-up and finally address what's been bothering you. More people get hurt or offended if you don't follow this "rule." Try not to be like most people.

And finally, there is a difference between venting and whining. Learn it. Venting is healthy and helpful. If something is bugging you, get it out. (This also goes back to the second AB behavior.) Usually a good (fellow AB) friend will listen to you without judgement and will allow you to vent. When it gets tricky is when you are complaining, i.e. whining. Unfortunately there isn't a cut and dry way to address the differences between venting and whining, which makes it tough to say "don't whine." But if you feel like the people around you are beginning to get annoyed or even if you are tired of hearing yourself speak of the same things over and over -- it's probably a good sign that it's whining.

I will not pretend to say that I feel I've mastered these behaviors (or if anyone has, or can), but being aware of things that make you a person who is really living a life without blah is a great idea. You know that old saying, practice makes perfect? It's worth heeding that advice. If you can avoid passive-aggressive behaviors, speak your mind and not bottle things up as often as possible, and be a person who vents, not whines, then you can live a life without blah.

Another way to look at it, is be self-aware and mindful of others. And adjust your behaviors accordingly.