Nadine J Walters – My Life

My question for myself today: What is frustrating you?

My answer: Not much.

I think my biggest frustration is whether or not I can keep everyone around me on an even keel. There are little frustrations in my life every day, but I’m learning not to let them get to me. Whether it’s my dog feeling neglected, my husband making a strange request, or the loveseat I ordered arriving with a missing part, I’m finding new ways to handle these situations without internalizing them. Instead of absorbing other people’s problems as my own, I focus on addressing them calmly—by listening, taking action when needed, or simply letting go.

This hasn’t always been easy for me. I have a habit of wanting to solve everyone’s problems, often taking ownership of things that aren’t mine to fix. But I’ve realized that doesn’t help anyone. Observing a situation instead of diving in headfirst allows me to be a better source of support. And honestly, one of the hard truths of getting older is that the people around you are aging too, bringing new challenges that require new coping skills.

My dog eats my shoe—probably because he needs more walks (not that he can tell me himself). My husband wants me to drop everything and cut his hair (I don’t). The furniture company requires endless emails and documents just to send one small missing part. These silly little things can add up, creating bumps in the road. But I’m learning that it’s easier—and much more peaceful—to just stop, take a breath, and move forward.

Life will always throw minor frustrations our way, but how we respond to them makes all the difference. By stepping back, taking a breath, and refusing to carry unnecessary burdens, I’m finding that most frustrations lose their power. And that, in itself, is a relief.