Kiran Athar
Patience is a difficult virtue to master – especially in today’s fast-paced world.
But the truth is, keeping calm is an essential skill to master which will benefit your well-being and mental health.
So, here are 10 everyday situations we all go through that reveal your true levels of patience!
1) Waiting in line
Depending on where you live in the world, waiting in line, or “queuing” as the Brits like to call it, is never fun.
Let’s be honest, we do it out of common courtesy to our fellow humans, but we’d all much rather rush to the front, pay for our items, and carry on with our day!
And some people do take this approach, determinedly ignoring the furious looks and sighs of the people they overtake…
So, if you respect the rule of waiting in line and you don’t skip the queue, you’ve got good patience levels, as well as respect for others!
2) Sitting in traffic
Is there anything worse than being late for your morning appointment and then hitting a ton of traffic on your way in?
You’re locked in, cars on either side and nothing but a slow crawl – a person walking could get to your destination faster.
Those of us with a bit of road rage might start beeping, trying to cut other drivers off or even breaking the rules altogether by speeding down a bus lane or hard shoulder.
If you resist these urges and wait patiently in traffic – accepting that you probably should have left earlier – you’re one heck of a patient person and it shows!
3) Slow internet speeds
Whether you’re on FaceTime, on an online work meeting, or trying to stream Netflix, slow internet speeds can test the best of us when it comes to patience.
It’s tempting to throw your device against a wall when the loading sign just keeps spinning with no result, even though you’ve checked your router and can’t find an issue…
But if you refrain from doing this, it reveals your true level of patience.
Because you know deep down that technology isn’t always reliable, the WiFi will play up, and it’s best to take a deep breath and wait rather than react out of frustration!
4) Parenting
Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but it doesn’t come without its difficulties…
Especially in those early years when children rely on you for everything!
Sleepless nights, tantrums, teething, and very little time for you to unwind is a recipe for stress and exhaustion.
Yet, regardless of how much your little one is testing your patience, you still wake them up every morning with a smile and a cuddle. You never stop loving them or trying to give them the best life possible.
This is a true display of patience!
But remember – no one is expecting you to be a model mom or dad, as long as you’re trying, that’s all that matters!
5) Dealing with customer service
All of us, at some point or another, will have to sit through the pain of dealing with customer service.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get through fairly quickly after listening to the mind-numbing music they play while you’re on hold.
If you’re unlucky, you’ll get passed from pillar to post trying to get through to the right department. And then just as you get there, the line cuts out and you’ve got to start all over again!
It could possibly be one of the most frustrating experiences in the world.
So, if you’re able to calmly wait and speak to the customer service representative on the other line without biting their head off, you, my friend, have excellent levels of patience!
6) Waiting for a package
As I write this article, I’m currently waiting for a new mattress to be delivered.
Except it was meant to be delivered two days ago, and I’ve canceled plans twice thinking that the moment I step out of the house is the moment the delivery man will arrive.
So, I feel your pain!
But the truth is, many factors can affect a delivery service…and trying to battle them won’t make your package come any quicker.
This is a real test of patience because there’s very little we can do at home except follow up and track the order!
7) Listening to others
Believe it or not, but every time we listen to other people drone on about their problems, our patience levels are tested.
Even if we care about them and are genuinely interested in what they have to say, it can still be a little draining to have someone offload their issues and worries onto you…
And when you think about the number of people you encounter daily, it’s no wonder our patience levels can run low from time to time!
But here’s the thing – if you still give people your time and energy, even when you’re not really in the mood, it not only shows you’re patient, but that you’re empathetic and caring too!
8) Assembling Ikea furniture
Ahh, good old DIY furniture – we’ve all been there.
Whether you’re doing it alone or with a partner (which can be a real test of your relationship) it’s stressful to say the least…
So, are you the type to give up at the first hurdle and throw the manual against the wall?
Or do you plow through, knowing the sense of achievement at the end will make up for the headache?
If you fall into the second category, you’re probably more patient than you realize!
9) Grocery shopping during peak hours
Another everyday situation that reveals your true levels of patience is grocery shopping.
Let’s be honest, it’s pandemonium. Shopping carts everywhere, kids running wild, and adults deciding to stop right in your pathway for no obvious reason.
Just as with road rage, there are some of us who find this experience extremely jarring and frustrating – especially if you only needed to pick up one or two items!
Now, if you tend to smile and politely make your way through the hoards of people, good for you! You definitely know how to keep your calm.
But if you’re prone to ramming other people’s shopping carts, huffing loudly when people get in your way, or glaring at noisy children, you might need to work on those patience levels!
10) Sharing your living space with others
And finally, if you live with other people, your patience will undoubtedly be tested from time to time!
Whether it’s your family, partner, or roommate, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to things like noise levels, cleanliness, and organization.
Unfortunately, some people clash and this can lead to a tense living environment.
But if you’re able to navigate these difficulties and differences with grace and patience, you’re doing a good job!
The truth is, in these situations everyone needs to keep a cool head – otherwise, it’s easy to destroy relationships over petty, everyday annoyances!
So, now we’ve covered 10 everyday situations that reveal your true levels of patience…are you a patient person? Or have the points above given you some food for thought?
If it’s the latter, remember to breathe and count to 10 the next time your patience levels run low!
