About this quote

We often force ourselves to stay positive when things go wrong. But pretending everything is fine is exhausting. There is a strange, quiet comfort in admitting that a situation sucks and hearing someone else validate that feeling. It does not fix the problem, but it stops you from feeling lonely in your misery. Find your person who lets you complain without trying to offer a cheap, sunny solution.

When to use it

• You and a coworker are stuck working late on a Friday because of a system crash. You turn to them and say, 'This is absolutely miserable,' and their instant nod of agreement immediately relieves your stress.
• While studying for a brutal chemistry exam, you and your classmate admit how much you despise the professor's grading system. Just voicing that shared frustration makes the long night bearable.
• You are running an outdoor track workout in freezing sleet. You catch the eye of another runner who mutters, 'This weather is garbage,' and you both laugh and find the energy to finish your laps.