Myisha Nawar
• Realize that annoying people are inevitable. You cannot always walk away. It is not always a matter of simply associating with different people. More importantly, we are not built to be inclined to like everything about everyone, and vice versa. But do understand that continuing to be passive and let yourself be repeatedly filled with rage will only harm your own life and well-being.
• Stop spiraling. When someone is really getting under your skin, we have a tendency to think extensively about why that person is doing so. You think of all the ways they are inconveniencing you, how annoying they are and you’re just waiting for them to do the next annoying thing that will throw you over the edge and when they finally do, you’re like, aha, I told myself so. It perpetuates the cycle.
• Blame your excuse on yourself. We sometimes avoid being upfront with people because we don’t want to hurt their feelings or we might even be concerned that if we say something all of our anger will rise from the fiery pits of hell and explode all over them. If someone insists on repeatedly showing you stupid YouTube videos or otherwise annoying you throughout your day, just tell them that you need to focus right now but that you can maybe talk later. Tell them that you’re super tired and just in a crabby mood, so you’re sorry for not being completely there in the conversation.
• Just zone out. Sometimes there’s no way to remove yourself from the situation: office meetings, family gatherings, people in public places, etc. If you’re able, just let your mind wander. Think about something that makes you really happy, or just make jokes about the people who are annoying you in your mind (… but keep them in your mind).