25 Stress Triggers

“I don’t have pet peeves; I have whole kennels of irritations.” Whoopi Goldberg

We know them. Those little irritations that get under our skin. The annoying things that people say or do that put us in an ill-tempered mood. Some of them are minor irritations and others are major and can really make us angry. Some pet peeves are simple things happening in our environment that are the cause of a deeper level of stress because they threaten our quality of life. Very often we are unable to explain our annoyance or why. We look around and others don’t seem to be bother at all.

Pet peeves can turn a smiley face into a frowning face, turn laughter to tears or simply make us go hmmm. A great thing about pet peeves is that one day we wake up and that thing that bothered us yesterday doesn’t seem to make a difference today.

I am extremely fascinated by human behavior and life’s little frustrations that cause each of us to act or react very differently. I decided to ask a few friends and family to share with me what make them want to shake their fist or grit their teeth.

The list goes beyond the “fingernails on the chalkboard” type annoyances and hopefully bring light to those things bothering us at a more universal level. You might find yourself saying “me too.” If you have one or more pet peeves or annoyances you would like to share, please feel free to do so in the comments sections.

1. Government whether local, state of federal--they are really off the chain and self interest and re-election is more important than what is best for the people.
2. People who say rude things and then forget they said them.
3. Someone asking for an opinion and then acting bored when given an answer.
4. An answering machine that has a child’s voice or an inappropriate message.
5. Someone bows head in a public place, it is now assumed they are praying and they can’t do it because it might offend someone. Well you are being offensive by not allowing me to bow my head, to pray, look at my shoes, or to lower my head to think (period).
6. Politicians.
7. People who will say or do anything to thwart someone else’s dream.
8. The constant talking and texting on a cell phone when others are present….and don’t get me started on parents who totally ignore their children.
9. People, who take, never give and then feel entitled.
10. Parents who think having children does not come with struggle and sacrifice…in another word…selfish parents.
11. Self-service gas stations.
12. Self service check out lanes in grocery and department stores.
13. The death penalty.
14. The political climate.
15. Being ignored.
16. Employers not hiring people who have been out of work for more than 6 months. The reason they give is “gaps in resume listing and 'lost' of skills”. Really? The economic downturn, companies and organizational mergers, businesses going under…..people can’t buy a job and these morons call it “gaps”!!!!!!
17. Computers reading resumes and making decisions on whether or not I get hired.
18. Banks.
19. People who speed through school zones.
20. People who ride in the little power scooters and think they own the entire aisle at the store.
21. Drivers who think they are “iron a** Pete” and don’t slow down during bad weather--heavy rain, snow, ice, etc.
22. Highway bullies. (Also roads and streets)
23. In church or worship service I hate it when I am “told” to raise my hands on cue and then being made to feel like I don’t love God as much as you when I choose not to raise my hands and wave them around.
24. Political campaigns.
25. The mob mentality. Whatever happened to “I can think for myself”? Were we ever individual thinkers?

Things that make us say “I really hate it when” -- or -- “it really gets on my nerves when“ can definitely cause us to experience various levels of stress. Very often the person causing our distress are unaware. If talking with them doesn’t work then find another way to handling or address the issue. I, personally, find two things helpful for me (1) walking away (2) shaking my head and laughing to myself. We can always find the humor in almost any situation if we try. And remember, if we are bothered by the actions of another, we are probably causing someone else to “shake their fist or grit their teeth.”

When the irritation or stress trigger is something we have no immediate control over, i.e. government, banks, etc. we can find ways and opportunities to get involved. Writing letters of concern, starting a petition, attending town hall meetings are just a few ideas. Think about it because the point is, there is always something we can do.

Love to all,

Nonna