The Art of Venting (Without Blowing a Gasket at Work)
There’s a Fine Line Between Keeping Calm and Coming Undone
Let’s talk about venting. Not the mechanical kind that whirs above your office microwave—no, the emotional kind. The kind that hits after your third back-to-back Zoom meeting, when someone’s left their lunch to fossilize in the fridge again, and your email inbox is auditioning for a horror film.
We all have moments. But what happens when we don’t let those moments out?
Spoiler: it’s not great.
Here’s my story—one I’ve shared with many, and in my book The A-Z of Service Excellence, not to fish for sympathy, but because it genuinely helps others see themselves before they hit breaking point.
When Stress Sneaks Up and Takes the Wheel
After 15 years working at the bank (yes, fifteen), I walked through the doors one morning, got to my desk... and realised I couldn’t stay. Not for another hour. Not even for another minute.
I picked up my coffee cup and a couple of bits and pieces, walked into my boss’s office, sat down, and said, “I’m done.”
Now, I wasn’t sobbing, but there were definitely tears. My boss, surprised and genuinely concerned, offered me a couple of days off. I took them. And I also did something I hadn’t done before—I called the bank’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
They set me up with a local counsellor. Three sessions later, I could finally see what had happened. Stress. Burnout. Zero venting. A perfect emotional storm.
Why Bottling It Up Doesn’t Work
Here’s the thing: not everyone has the same stress threshold, and that’s okay. What’s not okay is pretending stress doesn’t exist or thinking we’re somehow "weak" for needing help.
I used to believe I should be able to handle things on my own. After all, I was an adult with bills and responsibilities! But let me tell you—getting professional help didn’t make me weak. It made me smart.
When we don’t vent or find a safe outlet for workplace frustrations, stress builds. Quietly. Until one day it decides to make itself very loud. In my case, it sounded like, “I’m done.”
Healthy Ways to Vent (That Won’t Get You Reported to HR)
Let’s get practical. If screaming into your pillow isn’t cutting it anymore, here are some healthier, workplace-friendly ways to vent:
Book a walk-and-talk with a trusted colleague – No need for a dramatic monologue. Just a safe space to share how you’re feeling.
Use your organisation’s EAP – If your employer offers it, use it! These programs exist for a reason.
Jot it down – A ‘rage page’ in your notebook or a private digital journal can be surprisingly therapeutic.
Find humour – Yes, really. Sometimes laughing at the absurdity of a situation can offer a release valve for stress.
Use your leave – You’ve earned it. Take a day (or three) to reset before you need to hit the eject button.
The Power of Perspective (and a Bit of a Plan)
After my counselling sessions, I didn’t just return to work—I returned with clarity. And, eventually, I realised I needed a change.
So, at 32, with no job lined up, a mortgage, and only a Year 10 qualification under my belt, I left the bank. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel fear—I felt freedom.
I worked with a career coach, landed a role in disability employment services (where my natural talents could shine), and later completed a Diploma of Business. I even began studying counselling—not to become one, but to understand the strategies people use to process stress and emotions.
I wanted to understand venting in the professional sense—how soft skills like emotional intelligence play a role in workplace wellbeing.
Workplace Venting: Don’t Confuse It with Whinging
Let’s be real: some people think venting is just a fancy word for complaining. It’s not. Whinging is aimless and often drains others. Venting, on the other hand, is about processing—sharing how you feel, finding patterns, and identifying actions you can take.
When good communication isn’t there, venting can easily turn into background noise. But done well, it leads to insight and growth.
So before you blow your top in the lunchroom or craft a passive-aggressive group email, ask yourself: What do I need right now—validation, a solution, or just a break?
Want to Help Your Team Vent (the Right Way)?
Let’s face it—everyone’s under pressure these days. Supporting your staff to manage stress isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. Creating space for healthy venting (and providing tools to manage it) leads to more engaged, productive, and loyal employees.
If that sounds like a culture you’d like to build, we’re here to help. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can empower your team to handle workplace pressure like pros—minus the meltdowns.