The Art of a Good Rant (and when to stop)

Why venting can be surprisingly smart if you do it well

Let’s talk about venting. Not the air- conditioning kind — the human kind. The “I just

need to get this off my chest before I lose it” kind. If you’re someone who struggles to vent — maybe it feels indulgent, weak, unproductive, or just... not you — this one’s for you.

Why venting actually helps Contrary to the stiff-upper-lip school of thought, venting isn’t emotional leakage — it’s emotional processing. Think of it like this: you’ve got what some people call a monkey mind, or maybe an inner caveperson, that kicks off when things feel unfair, overwhelming, or uncertain. If you try to shove it in a cupboard,

it’ll eventually burst out wearing war paint and swinging a frying pan. Venting is a way to let the emotional brain have its say — to get the noise out of your system so you can think clearly. No one makes their best decisions while trying to suppress a volcano. So,

paradoxically, giving a bit of space to the emotion helps you move towards logic — it’s not the opposite of control, it’s often the first step towards it.

How to actually do it (without turning into a moaning Myrtle)

Venting done well has a few key ingredients:

👂🏻 Choose your person wisely: Pick someone who can hold space without fanning the

flames. (Avoid people who reply with “OMG I would’ve punched them.”)

⌛ Give it a time limit: “I need five minutes to get this out” is magic. It gives your emotional

brain the mic and the hook.

😔 Say what you felt, not just what happened: “I was humiliated” goes deeper than “They

ignored my point again.”

📢 Don’t edit: This isn’t the time for polished reflection — let it be messy.

You can find the gold later.

And if you’re not a natural talker? Try writing it down. Uncensored. Burn it later if that helps. The point is to feel the emotion so it doesn’t fester in your internal inbox.

How to know when to stop

Venting becomes unhelpful when you’re just circling the same drain. You’ll know you’ve reached the limit when:

• You’re repeating yourself

• You’re winding yourself up more, not less

• You’re no longer curious — just righteous

At that point, ask:

What do I need now? A solution? A boundary? A nap? Venting isn’t the destination — it’s the warm-up act.

Venting is helpful... but not the whole job

Venting clears the emotional fog, but if you stop there, it’s like drying off after a storm but never fixing the roof. Once the intensity eases, that’s your moment — to reflect, zoom out, understand what pushed your buttons and why.

In performance terms? Venting can help you reset emotionally — think of a player storming off after a bad call, then coming back level- headed. But elite performers also learn from the flare-up. They don’t just feel better — they grow smarter.

What stops us from venting — and how to get past it

Barrier 1:

“It makes me look weak.”

Truth: Emotional suppression doesn’t equal strength. It equals headaches, tight shoulders, and snappy

replies to innocent baristas. Controlled expression? That’s

real strength.

Barrier 2:

“No one wants to hear it.”

Truth: Most of us would love to be the trusted person someone turns to. If you’re not sure, ask: “Can I vent for a moment?” You might

be surprised how much

connection it creates.

Barrier 3:

“I don’t have time.”

Truth: Venting doesn’t have to be a saga. Two minutes in the car. One WhatsApp voice note. A voice memo to yourself. If you’ve got time to

scroll, you’ve got time to vent.

So, if you’re someone who usually bottles it up, consider this your nudge. Try letting some of the steam out. Not for drama. Not for attention. But because it clears the runway for the wiser, calmer part of you to get back in the pilot’s seat. Venting won’t solve everything. But done well, it might just be the most emotionally intelligent thing you do all day.

Now go let that monkey mind say its piece — then show it who’s boss.