The best reason to make positive personal changes is that we can’t make anyone else change, no matter how annoying they are. What are we going to do with all that pent-up change energy? The person who cuts in line, the person who parks crooked, the person who is trying to prove the existence of auras by wearing a cloud of body spray - none of them are going to do anything about themselves. They’re too busy feeling annoyed by everyone else. WHY do other people insist on getting to the store before me and standing in MY line? WHY do other people insist on parking in the spots next to where *I* want to park? WHY can’t other people simply appreciate my gift of extreme fragrance? Start with the assumption that you are exactly as annoying as the people who annoy you, and you already have your hand on the doorknob of spiritual enlightenment.
It’s all about the categorical imperative. Act in such a way that, if your behavior became universal law, you would endorse it. If you floss your teeth, you’re saying that everyone should floss their teeth. If you’re nice to animals, you’re saying that everyone should be nice to animals. If you tap your pen, you’re saying yes to a mass cacophony of pen-tapping, synchronized to such a degree that it might vibrate in harmony, triggering an earthquake or possibly setting off a volcano. Now, how about a list of nearly-universal pet peeves, at least one of which each of us is obviously doing, but would never admit (or possibly notice). Taking up more than one parking spot Leaving your shopping cart in your parking spot Leaving used diapers in your parking spot Texting and driving Letting your dog poo and walking away like it didn’t happen Talking on your cell phone while making commercial transactions Burning microwave popcorn at work more than once per lifetime Microwaving leftover fish at work Sticking gum under tables, chairs, or anywhere else For that matter, chewing gum at all Clipping your nails at the coffee table (and leaving nail bits for us to step on) Leaving containers of moldy leftovers in the fridge Leaving laundry baskets of “clean” clothes for the cat to sleep/pee in Mowing your lawn at 7 AM, especially on the weekend Vacuuming your bedroom first thing in the morning when I live downstairs from you Playing loud music off your patio Loud arguments in hotel rooms Leaving paper covers on the seat after leaving a public restroom stall Talking about politics at work (unless that is your literal job description) Exploding stuff in the microwave and leaving it for someone else to clean up Defending your kid for being a bully Letting your dog jump up on people, especially strangers Thinking that being a troll or griefer is funny Publicly shaming people for misusing punctuation Letting your kid kick the back of someone’s seat Shouting at cashiers, baristas, waiters, or any other person just trying to do their job Undertipping Putting your bare hands in the bulk bins at the grocery store Flicking your fingers under the tap instead of actually washing your hands with soap Vaguebooking And one from me: Posting pictures of food on social media. I want to see you, not your dimly lit plate Please stop doing these things! Love, Everyone Else Comments are closed.
|
AuthorI've been working with chronic disorganization, squalor, and hoarding for over 20 years. I'm also a marathon runner who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and thyroid disease 17 years ago. This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies. Opt Out of CookiesArchives
January 2022
Categories
All
|