How To Deal With Pet Peeves
I don’t like having “pet peeves”. But I think sometimes people in general actually do like having them.
They become an identifier.
A conversation piece.
An open door to vent and complain. Non of which feels productive.
Don’t get me wrong, I get it. It’s validating to find someone else with the same “pet peeve” as you and to go on and on about why it bothers you and the times you’ve experienced it. I’ve been there.
But now, I try my darnedest to figure out WHY I feel the way I feel and if there’s anything I can do about it, I try and do it. If not, I try to let it go.
Notice I said “try”. Perfection is the enemy. We’re all a work in progress. All we can do is try and move that needle forward each day.
One of my biggest pet peeves: When I’m getting gas and the gas pump doesn’t stay pumping. It clicks off every 2 seconds so that I’m forced to hold it at just the right pressure to get the gas to flow. IT DRIVES ME BONKERS!!
But why? I dug down deep and think it’s because of a few reasons.
I have trouble with patience. Having to hold that at the specific pressure to get the gas to flow takes way longer
While I’m doing that I can’t do anything else. I can’t respond to emails, texts, make notes, nothing. It feels like wasted time
And most of all, it feels like the work I’m doing isn’t making any difference. I’m holding that freaking handle ever so slightly as to not disturb the fragile balance of that damn nozzle and it STILL stops every few seconds.
What can I do about it?
I’ve noticed that the pump I regularly go to has this issue. So to start, I need to choose a different pump.
Second, if it just so happens that all the pumps at that station are like that, I can either choose a different gas station OR go into it with the expectation that I’ll be getting a grip workout.
If I expect it, the frustration isn’t as great.
Life isn’t controllable. But our reactions are. Things can remain a pet peeve if you want. You can sit in it and enjoy the validation of others feeling the same way.
OR you can figure out how to overcome that anger and move in a productive direction.
Again, your choice.