[atoav]

I think a thing to consider is also the effect your actions have at others. E.g. venting in front of others who can do nothing to change the thing that made you angry can also negatively impact their day. Granted — if one is the type who has no sense of how one impacts the people around oneself this is not a metric this type of person would consider. But it exists and there are people who are unhappy their whole life without realizing how much of it is the fallout of the effects they have on their environment.

[stefandesu]

I used to be that guy that always tried to solve other people's problems whenever they poured out their problems in front of me. I guess there were two reasons for this: One, I didn't realize that some people simply want to let it out and they are not really interested in a solution. Two, I identified too much with their problems and in order to make myself feel better, I tried to be helpful.

Nowadays, I have a pretty good grasp when someone really wants helpful input for their problem and when someone simply wants to vent. And while it still causes certain feelings inside myself whenever I hear someone vent (especially when it's clear that they are simply complaining and not doing anything about it), I view those situations as opportunities to grow by managing how I react to those things. Ideally, I simply accept that they are not my problems and go on with my life. (That's definitely a work in progress though.)