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WORK IN PROGRESS.

I went on a date a couple weeks ago and the guy (boy? date? kid? man? none of these sound right...) asked me the one trait I'd most like to improve about myself. I thought it was a great question, especially for someone you don't know very well. He said he's trying to be less judgmental before getting to know people. I thought about it for a moment and decided on...

Patience. I might be the least patient person in the world. Waiting in line at Starbucks is a daily exercise in restraint. Walking behind an elderly person/woman on a cell phone with a stroller and two small dogs/person with zero body awareness (aren't those the worst?) gets me more worked up than I care to admit. I'm not proud of it... but there are times I've actually had to stop myself from hitting my computer because my Internet connection was so infuriatingly slow. I'm impatient with myself, with others, and with inanimate objects... Not good.

What do you do to try to be patient? Sometimes I think it's just a question of stepping back, taking a deep breath, and realizing it's not really worth getting worked up over... Easier said than done, of course. If you have any tips or tricks, you know I'm all ears.

This isn't a pity party but I do think it's important to acknowledge that we're all works in progress and that there's always room for improvement. What's one trait you'd like to work on? I'd love to hear!

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21 comments:

Caroline said...

Mine is definitely determination. I often wish do be able to do a certain thing, but am not determined enough to actually do it, and do it well. I really hope I can work on this, especially at school!
xoxo,
cYa
citrusandstyle.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

i really love this. there's nothing i hate more than pokey people and i have to constantly tell myself that none of them are going to impact me in the long run and being a little late is going to be okay.
thats not to say i dont get really mad though!!

Gabrielle | Savvy Home said...

Gosh, I'm totally guilty of this too. I'm the most impatient person ever, yet those who know me best know they need to be very patient with me (I take forever to get ready and out the door)! I really should try to be more patient, and perhaps less hard with myself - I hold impossibly high standards and constantly get stressed out about it.

Glad to hear you're well and dating :)

Leanne said...

I am definitely way too hard on myself. I hold myself to crazy high standards and tend to compare myself to others a lot (especially at work when they have a lot more experience than me). Because of this I tend to get stressed out and very down on myself. It's something others have even pointed out to me and something I am constantly trying to work on! Hopefully I will get there soon and be able to enjoy life more!

Taylor said...

I'm extremely impatient too - I am the same way with walking behind people on sidewalks I want to go crazy. I don't know why but I feel like mine goes back to being a bit controlling -- I hate when things are keeping me from doing what I want to be doing? It's a horrible habit of mine.... I have no tips unfortunately but hope other do! The deep breath definitely helps, but as you said, easier said than done!
http://itsthelittlethingsblog.blogspot.com

One Fine Day said...

I'm your classic worrywart. I worry about moving, if people will like me, what others think of me, whether or not I've made the right decisions, etc. It can consume me, and I'm trying to be better about it. I really hate this trait, and I've gotten better over the years, but there's still so much room for improvement.

Your examples of being impatient totally reminded me of my husband. It made me laugh because those would be the SAME examples he'd use — Starbucks and slow walkers especially!!!

Catherine said...

That second paragraph perfectly described my life! I have been trying to work on it, but it is so hard!

XO

www.livebowfully.com

Anonymous said...

i am very impatient but am trying to work on it. i cannot handle drivers/people that are going slow for no reason.

petal and plume said...

this was a joy to read!
xx
http://petalandplume.blogspot.ca/

Anonymous said...

I'm not terribly patient either. The other day, I realized that I'd done this annoyed-gasping thing about half a dozen times within the span of an hour (mostly because of my computer). But I often think about these documentaries I've watched about other parts of the world where people are just trying to survive the day. That shifts a lot of things into perspective for me and helps me to be grateful that my problems, in general, are momentary and fleeting.

Meghan said...

I take a deep breath. Because I'm the same way! For me, going to the mall and being stuck behind people just moseying along drives me crazy! But I know it's not the end of the world to have to walk a bit slower!

Sarah Adiutori said...

Patience is definitely something I struggle with A LOT! The count to ten thing works, but when I am really worked up sometimes I just remove myself from the situation completely. One of my major pet peeves is shopping at Target (the hoards of people who are so unaware of others and downright rude. Then there are the children whose parents let them run aimlessly through the store) so I am totally guilty of buying almost all of my household staples online and having them shipped to my house.

Michaela said...

Right there with you, girl. That and anxiety. I tend to worry about things that will always work themselves out!

Sam (Savvy City Chic) said...

I need to work on my patience as well. I am the worst when I am stuck behind slow people that I cannot get around.

Chelsea Mac said...

We should start a support group for us impatient people. I'm right there with you - it hasn't been until having a child that I've truly started to tackle this skillset. Mostly, it requires lots of deep breathes and a huge glass of wine at the end of the day to release all of that tension ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh I am the same! I sometimes catch myself stamping my foot (how awful!) or taking a deep breath to calm myself (which works, but isn't so pleasant for others to realise I'm not happy!) I need to learn to mentally calm myself down.
But what an insightful date you had - can't say I've ever been on one of those! ;)
Ashleigh xxoo
PS. Love all the images over on your Love Pinterest board, so sweet.

QueenE said...

I can be impatient.....for example I found myself impatient when I clicked on your photos & they didn't take me straight to your blog post :'( but I was LOL when I read the part about wanting to hit things since I thought I was reading about my husband hahaha! He often slams things (and breaks them) & or wants to punch the computer, iPad or phone when the Internet slows down. And a few times I found myself loosing it too. I taught Defensive Driving for many years & when I learned something that helped me keep my cool in the car and that was to remember what is valuable to me and wether or not I wanted to jeopardize my life my getting into a road rage altercation. Is it worth it? No! So I always think of my husband, children & all that matters in my life. When it comes to things I think of their value and how much hard work they cost us. Plus getting angry does not resolve the issue at hand. I walk away or I take some 10 deep breaths if walking is not an option. You will feel the tension in your chest release & it will help you come to your senses. FYI: I love your blog & you are an absolute inspiration to me as an Woman Mompreneur & aspiring blogger.

Colleen said...

I definitely have zero patience...ditto to everything you listed about not having patience with...it's definitely a work in progress.

Unknown said...

I am the world's most impatient person. Watching this helps me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjMyUeYZM8k

kayce hughes said...

Don't move to Nashville! I remember being shocked and impatient when we moved here from NYC because everyone did everything much s...l...o....w...e...r.

Heather T. said...

Oddly, I'd say the two traits I would most want to work on are being wayyy too judgmental and patience. I haven't been on a date in years and it's mostly because I am SO picky.