Ah, New Year’s—the season of resolutions, gratitude lists, and the slow, creeping realization that you’re annoyed by absolutely everything. This year, I took the well-meaning advice of all those inspirational quotes on Instagram: “Be grateful. Focus on the positive.” And so, I did.
Ah, New Year’s—the season of resolutions, gratitude lists, and the slow, creeping realization that you’re annoyed by absolutely everything. This year, I took the well-meaning advice of all those inspirational quotes on Instagram: “Be grateful. Focus on the positive.” And so, I did.
I made my gratitude list. It started simple enough: health, family, friends. But then, as I sat there basking in my supposed positivity, an unwelcome guest barged into the room—my inner annoyance.
Why do my friends always copy what I order at restaurants? Is it some culinary stalking? Why can’t they appreciate fine dining or, heaven forbid, try something new? And let’s not even get started on my classmates from high school—people who once aced math tests alongside me but now seem blissfully ignorant of basic facts. As for my sister, who can’t figure out how to use her phone. Honestly, how is this even my problem?
Suddenly, my gratitude list had turned into a laundry list of grievances. I wasn’t focusing on the good; I was fixated on the frustrating. Gratitude was supposed to bring me peace, but all it did was shine a spotlight on the small, ridiculous things that were driving me up the wall.
So, I had no choice but to confront myself. “Where is this coming from?” I asked as if I were the protagonist of some introspective indie film. The answer? Crickets. My brain was as helpful as a GPS with no signal.
Frustrated, I thought, “Maybe if I stop thinking, I’ll feel better.” Spoiler: I didn’t. The thoughts just kept coming, like uninvited guests at a party.
Finally, I gave up. I stopped trying to “fix” my mood, forcing gratitude or hunting for solutions. I just sat there, doing nothing. And you know what? That helped.
Because sometimes, the answer isn’t another list, another self-help mantra, or another round of overthinking. Sometimes, the answer is to just be—to let the thoughts come and go without trying to wrestle them into submission.
So, here’s my New Year’s wisdom: Annoyance’s okay. It’s okay to feel stuck. And it’s okay to do absolutely nothing about it for a while. Life will keep moving, and eventually, so will you.
And who knows? Maybe the next time your friend orders the same dish as you, you’ll just shrug and laugh. Or maybe you’ll roll your eyes. Either way, it’s fine. Happy New Year.
I kind of love this attitude of yours! 🙂
People, friends, family, life … they certainly can be annoying. Annoying – not make me mad and want to argue or fight back. Shrugging your shoulders and letting it go – that’s a good idea. I file it under “don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Happy New Year. 🥳
And to you, too, Selma.