Word Vomit
Word vomit: while close friends of “Bitching” and “Venting,” is just a neighbor-not quite the same. It earns its own realm of distinction. And while sometimes necessary, you never want to be known as a “Word Vomiter” or word vomit frequently-just so you know. Now, please allow me to fill this, my first, Personal Journal Entry, with some great examples of word vomiting. (Although, they’re not just examples, they’re also truths.) Here we go!
So, you ask me how I am these days… I will tell you that I am absolutely great and things are moving and shaking in the right direction for sure!!!! If you wanted more details…. In the past TWO MONTHS I have: shut down my business-which I poured blood, sweat, tears, $$$, time, creativity, and a whole lot of hard work into. I opened a consignment store to sell all my items from the previous business. My mother came to stay with me for 6 weeks. I decided to ‘start quitting’ smoking cigarettes. Three of my nearest and dearest friends all told me they’d be moving to out of State within a few weeks-months. I closed the consignment store. I got called to court for having a consignment store. I re-started my job search. I tried finding a new rental tenant. My car started making weird noises. I babysat cats 7 weeks out of the two months-that’s cool though-I love me some kitties. I revised my resume. I allowed all my weaknesses to surface. I sprained my ankle. I met with and rekindled my relationship with several long lost family members. My commercial building association threw up road blocks and grievances in several areas. I freaked out, several times, about how my next mortgage payment would be paid. I emotionally disengaged. I visited my 98 year old aunt at least once a week. I found a new rental tenant-crisis averted. I rearranged my living room and bedroom furniture. I helped a friend pack her moving boxes-so sad. I met with 5 bankers/financial advisors-all reporting negative news (what do they know?!). My fingernails broke and refused to grow fast. I packed up everything from my consignment store/previous business (tons of stuff-think full UPS truck). I went on emotional overload. I threw three dinner parties. I got sick. I missed calling my newly rekindled aunt on her birthday. I had to give up my joyful cooking classes-so sad. I revised my resume, again. I made a completely new budget, lease, rent roll, bookkeeping schedule, and personal financial statement. I moved all the consignment store items into my house-eek! I accidently broke two kitchen cabinets. I got reprimanded for not sharing enough, not being excited enough, and not reaching out to people-where would I begin? I became a full-fledged smoker again. I reorganized my office-twice. I took up the offer of hosting a book club-with only 379 pages left to read! Revised my resume, again. I ate pizza for dinner 13 times! I attended 8 family gatherings. I reconnected with my body. I emotionally neutralized and felt my peace-center again. I got back on track to quitting smoking. I went dancing. I got to see two fantastic plays: Lion King and Billy Elliot!!! I met a new friend. I continued the job search with high hopes.
That, my friends, is word vomiting in its finest form! It’s basically spewing out non-related information, in no particular order, at someone. So sorry for that, but it needed to come out somewhere-phew, that’s done. And that’s what we’re supposed to do, I believe. Let it all out, get it all out, clear your brain, and move on…then there’s room in your brain for all the positive things to surface and get acknowledged!! Yippee!
Now if that is how normal conversations go for you or anyone you know-watch out! Word vomiting is a one-time explosion. I have had the misfortune of conversing with several word vomiters and it’s not only annoying, but extremely confusing. You never know if you’re supposed to respond in some way, or comfort, or ignore, or laugh…. Everyone please watch your words and context, and please do us all the favor of warning us before a word vomiting session occurs.
Quick note on my definition of bitching and venting; and the difference between them: Venting is very similar to word vomiting, but venting usually is a more detailed discussion about a certain topic. EX: You get upset about your day at work and you call your friend later to tell her how bad it was. It usually is contained to one situation, while word vomit is usually all over the board with no rhyme or reason-that you know of. In both cases the listener only has to listen-mission complete. It’s probably better that they don’t input much, as this will only allow the conversation to go on longer and longer and emotions to intensify. Both, I believe, are extremely important and have their place; both you must use and not abuse!!! Their purposes serve to let go of things bothering you, then be done with them, over!!!
Now when you choose to temporarily vent or word vomit, then do not let it go and get over it; now you are crossing over the line into bitching. Danger! Danger! Bitching is complaining. Complaining and complaining and complaining-without end. Some people just never get over their issues and keep bitching about them. Some people only know how to connect with others by sharing their troubles and keep bitching about them. Some people have no idea they are bitching about the same things time and time again, and so they keep bitching about them. Some people are addicted to telling drama stories, instead of inspiring stories, and have no concept that their stories are just bitching sessions and they keep bitching about them. Some people separate themselves from people and happy lives, so they just keep bitching about them….Get It?? Bitching is a stationary activity, complaining just gets you on the fast track of having fewer friends, dwelling allows you to move nowhere. All the same, all not recommended.
Remember folks, it’s ok to word vomit and vent: in moderation and with advance warning please. Bitching consistently is never a good idea for anyone. Please do YOUR part and keep the bitchers from bitching-they must be stopped 
Many thanks.