I stood in the queue in Hungary, for about 45 minutes . It was a long queue, and I WAS NOT in a good mood. I was just finishing a tour of Eastern Europe with a theatre company I had been working with for 5 years . I was tired and quite frankly fed up with the team I was working and travelling with. I wanted to go home to my bed and my people and my creature comforts .
Using the Post Communist unfriendly public telephone ( the 1990’s need I say more !) my boyfriend of 4 years had just announced he was dumping me, and I just wanted to get back to Melbourne and sort it all out in person. I had some paperwork to finalise that to this day eludes me . Anyway, obviously not that important , but at the time was life or death. As everything is in your 20s LOL !! I stood in the line crying and watching this one girl take her time sorting out issues and lots of people NOT IN THE QUEUE getting in before me . I finally lost it and started yelling at the top of my voice . I was ropable . It wasn’t because I was waiting , it was because of the unfairness of this girl not realising that she needed to look at who was waiting and be fair about it.
The feeling of releasing the tension and pain was somewhat gratifying but afterwards I felt the dark face of remorse cloud my vision and settle in my usually compassionate nature. It wasn’t justified was it ? I was in the wrong and should have been more diplomatic in my approach. I still feel awful to this day about it , and I’ve long since realised that blowing up solves nothing . Yes a squeaky wheel gets attention but a wheel with nails hurtling at some poor innocent employee is not going to make you feel good afterwards especially if you have a conscience like I do !! Thankfully
It’s natural to feel frustrated from time to time, but if you’re noticing it’s happening frequently, there could be a few reasons. It might be helpful to reflect on what’s been causing your frustration.
For example, are there specific situations or interactions that tend to trigger it?
Is there something you’re trying It’s natural to feel frustrated from time to time, but if you’re noticing it’s happening frequently, there could be a few reasons. It might be helpful to reflect on what’s been causing your frustration.
For example, are there specific situations or interactions that tend to trigger it? Is there something you’re trying to achieve but finding challenging?
Sometimes, frustration can stem from feeling overwhelmed, unfulfilled, or when things don’t go as planned. It can also be a result of unmet needs or expectations. Understanding the root cause can help you address it more effectively.
Mine stems from being a bit of a perfectionist and expecting others to be as diligent towards others as I am in a professional capacity . I expect professionalism from myself and so when it doesn’t happen to my standard which I might say is not unreasonable I can get irritated. Insurance companies, telcos, and banks for example. They are my most vilified victims !! They have had YEARS of experience and financial resources to fix the customer service elements of their business , but they don’t do they ? Because they are not really focused on customers they are focused or saving themselves as much money possible . Average people become the victims here and this is when it gets annoying and unfair ! That’s it , that’s my bandwagon for today LOL
There is a lot of life we cannot control I have since learnt to expect a lack of customer service, poor communication, unfair polices and and wasted time . Once I started to do this more , it became easier for me to navigate the frustration and I was even pleasantly surprised when I was unexpectedly supported without expecting anything ! But I still get very frustrated if my should- know- better adult son drinks all the milk and leaves me a tiny drop for my tea.
What can you do about frustration ?
Talking to a therapist or counsellor can also be beneficial in exploring these feelings further and finding healthy ways to manage them.
There are several strategies you can try to help manage frustration:
Identify Triggers: Pay attention to what triggers your frustration. Understanding the root cause can help you find ways to address it.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, can help you stay calm and focused on challenging situations.
Take a Break: Sometimes, stepping away from the situation for a few minutes can help you regain perspective and approach it with a clearer mind.
Exercise: Physical activity can help reduce stress and improve your mood, which can in turn help reduce feelings of frustration.
Express Yourself: Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Sharing your frustrations can help you feel supported and may offer new perspectives on the situation.
Problem-Solving: If your frustration stems from a specific problem, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. This can help you feel more in control and make progress toward a solution.
Unmet needs
Sometimes, frustration can stem from feeling overwhelmed, unfulfilled, or when things don’t go as planned. It can also be a result of unmet needs or expectations. Understanding the root cause can help you address it more effectively. Talking to a therapist or counsellor can also be beneficial in exploring these feelings further and finding healthy ways to manage them.
Seek Professional Help: If you find that your frustration is significantly impacting your daily life or relationships, consider talking to a therapist or counsellor. They can help you It’s natural to feel frustrated from time to time, but if you’re noticing it’s happening frequently, there could be a few reasons. It might be helpful to reflect on what’s been causing your frustration. For example, are there specific situations or interactions that tend to trigger it? Is there something you’re trying to achieve but finding challenging?
It’s important to be patient with yourself as you try these strategies. It may take time to find what works best for you, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different approaches.
And Remember : blowing a gasket because your Big Mac is cold WILL come back to bite you , as you bite into it, spitting in take away is still a thing …. Yeah I know , yuck !!!