Seriously? It’s Not That Big of a Deal

Ever have one of those days when everything goes wrong? Your computer crashes, your flight gets delayed, your cable provider keeps you on hold forever, or traffic makes you late for something important. In the moment, it feels like the world is falling apart. But looking back, you see everything worked out — and maybe your reaction was a bit much. Yet, the next time it happens, you respond the same way, as if you learned nothing. Do you take life too seriously?

Sure, some situations warrant frustration, but how often do you let trivial annoyances ruin your day? The problem is our obsession with controlling the uncontrollable, checking every box, winning at everything, and chasing perfection. When plans fall apart, it’s easy to lose perspective. But while setbacks are frustrating, they don’t have to define your day. So, step back and stop taking everything so seriously. As writer Vivian Greene said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Easier said than done, right?

Life isn’t easy. It’s that simple.

Seriously? Let It Go

It’s easy to get caught up in the small stuff — focusing on details instead of the big picture, prioritizing distractions over what truly matters, and letting emotions override logic. When life throws you a curveball, pause for a reality check. These questions can help you refocus…

Is this an inconvenience or a real problem?
Are you chasing perfection in an imperfect world?
What’s the worst that could happen?
How did things turn out the last time this happened?
Will this still matter in a year?
Can you control or change anything about the situation?
Are you focusing on the problem or a potential solution?
Is this really worth your frustration?

Few things in life are truly transformative, but constantly overreacting to minor setbacks can take a serious toll on your health, relationships, and career — turning otherwise enjoyable days into unpleasant ones. If 95% of your day is good, why let one bad moment ruin it? As the saying goes, “You’ll never have a perfect day if you keep looking for one.”

Life often comes down to a choice: Will you let challenges control you, or will you take charge of your response? Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is full of ups and downs — make the most of the in-betweens.