October 15th Is National Grouch Day

Have you been called grouchy or grumpy? That's usually a term used for older people. Well, in case you did not know, today, October 15th, is your holiday. It's okay to be grumpy today. Celebrate it. And everybody else has to put up with you celebrating it, or else. 

National Grouch Day (also referred to as Grump Day) is celebrated annually on October 15. Though grumpy people are grumpy all year long and they won't quit, TODAY IS THEIR DAY!

About the Day

The holiday was created to honor Oscar the Grouch, the famous character from Sesame Street who lives in a trash can and loves being grumpy.

Watch Jody Foster tell Oscar why she likes him, and it makes him grouchier.

This very special day gives people permission to vent, complain, frown, and embrace a bad mood or cynical joke without judgment. Though they will be judged anyway. Just like they are the rest of the year.

Many view the day as a lighthearted way to let out pent-up frustrations so they can move forward with a better attitude. But real grouches HATE THIS DAY as they hate anything and everything on any other day.

Other similar observances include National Cranky Co-worker Day (October 27) and National Do a Grouch a Favor Day (February 16).

Some of you are not naturally grouchy people. So, to help you on this day, I asked AI for advice on how to be a grouch. Here is what it told me:

You'll need to cultivate a prolonged bad mood characterized by everyday irritation at everything, even things that don't matter. Remember: annoyance and frustration, no matter what is going on.

Core Habits of a Grouch

Unrealistic expectations: Expect everyone around you to act, drive, or work exactly how you want, even if they don't know what you want, and let them know when they fail. But also don't let them succeed. .

Negative self-talk: Replay minor slights or inconveniences in your head to feed your bad mood. If there are no minor inconveniences, make them up.

Grudges and judgment: Judge people constantly, gossip about minor flaws or made-up flaws, and hold onto trivial annoyances for days or longer.

Meta-grumpiness: Get annoyed at yourself or others for being in a bad mood.

Stay irritated, my friends.

Good luck today. Have fun with it - or DON'T!