Nobody likes a whiner. But let’s be honest, there’s something strangely satisfying about sharing a few of life’s little miseries, especially those that rear their heads in Life’s Act III. It’s not about wallowing in the muck—it’s more like airing out your laundry, giving it a good shake to loosen up the wrinkles, and maybe, just maybe, finding someone who’ll chuckle with you about the whole thing.

But what, you might ask, makes a fine whine fine? For me, it’s when I manage to dig out a little nugget of wisdom along the way that I might have missed otherwise—something useful for me next time, or maybe for someone else. I mean, if I have to go through it anyway, might as well see if there’s any good to come out of it. It’s all about leaving the campground a little cleaner than you found it.