Things that stress me out
Being out late -- in general, but particularly on a school night
Beads on clothing
Caption contests -- I feel like as a writer I should be good at this, but I don't think I am
Fighting/feisty disagreement/confrontation
Events that happen infrequently (like when I host my annual birthday celebration), in which I put too much pressure on myself to have the best time. Then I try to balance it by not having expectations, and the whole thing just becomes a messy back-and-forth battle of my own wills.
When people in an audience speak loud enough to overpower a performer/speaker
Contemplating how airplanes work, and flying
Riding the subway in Los Angeles
Grocery shopping. Ack. Hate it.
When someone wants to, like, legit ballroom/swing/salsa dance with me. I stick to freestyle, buddy, and my feet only move so fast.
Dogs' inability to sit still/not interact
Being on cruise ships
Related: the movie Titanic
Hiking
When my many different friends, all of whom I love dearly, don't mesh with each other (see: birthday parties)
The sheer amount of books in the world
Things in the universe (including the universe itself) that are really big or really small
Feeling like I have to watch a movie or play a game when I'd rather just mix and mingle. What? I really love to mix and mingle.
When someone I love is really upset and I can't help him or her feel better
Not having something in my car or bag to read
Being cold
Slow-moving lines
Things that don't stress me out
Dishes in the sink
Toilet paper not placed on the dispenser (as long as it's within reach of the commode, I'm good, people)
Getting up early
Going basically anywhere in public by myself -- restaurants, bars, movie theaters, etc.
When people leave a used K-cup in the machine
Dancing, singing, or speaking in public (OK speaking is sometimes stressful, but I still love it)
Chatting with strangers, up to and including if the discussion goes deep
Cats' attitudes/sudden decisions that they need space
In some regards: writing. While of course this vocation has its share of true stress, I feel like in general I enjoy writing way more than the average person, and I'm not always overwhelmed by a blank screen and a blinking cursor.
Society's expectation that people be fashionable when in the presence of others -- meh.
When friendships fizzle out simply because of distance and time. As someone who moved a bunch growing up, and as an extrovert who's bound to meet more people than I can keep up with anyway, I just see this as a part of life. Sure, I look back and think fondly of people in my past, but I don't worry that I did something wrong or, furthermore, whether I'll ever see them again. I believe that God has a way of circling people back into my life when I need them.
Standing room only concerts -- I actually prefer them
When people cry
Doing laundry (not being caught up on piles of laundry is another story)
Talking openly about intense emotions
Silence in between bits of conversation/Quiet people
Being an impromptu social director
Hot weather
Long lines (that move at a reasonable pace)
***
Your turn: what does (or doesn't) stress you out?
stress:
ReplyDeletebeing late, I try to be 15 minutes early.
When other people don't do what they say they'd do and I'm relying on it getting done.
Bad drivers
Bad dog owners
Doesn't stress:
Traffic (see lateness)I give myself plenty of time and it's a part of my job
I agree with you on a lot of these