Adrian Volenik
Chilled people are something else, aren’t they? They can stay calm even in the worst situations, such as traffic jams, tech glitches, changes of plans, waiting for their spouse to get ready, and many more.
It’s an incredibly underrated ability that arguably saves you years of life.
So, without further delay, let’s find out if you can stay calm in the following situations.
1) Dealing with traffic jams or transportation delays
A chilled person understands that traffic jams and transportation delays happen all the time. But that doesn’t change the fact they’re incredibly annoying and inconvenient.
There are only a few things in life worse than being stuck in traffic jams or waiting for that never-arriving train or bus.
In fact, the average American commuter wastes 54 extra hours a year in traffic delays. That’s more than two whole days per year!
So if you manage to stay peaceful in these types of situations, you are definitely chill.
Because you, instead of becoming agitated, remain patient, listen to music, audiobook, or podcast, or simply practice mindfulness during the wait.
Good for you!
2) Waiting in long queues or lines
When I see a long queue, I typically turn around and leave. I can’t be bothered waiting for longer than 10 minutes for something.
The obvious exceptions are check-in and boarding queues, of course. I’d rather come the next day before opening time and be one of the first ones in line. Yes, yes, I still have to wait, but it’s a different feeling. I can’t explain it.
But, instead of feeling frustrated in long queues, chilled people accept that waiting is part of life, just like traffic jams.
They strike up a conversation with others, scroll on their phone, or use the time to think and reflect.
3) Facing criticism or negative feedback
Getting negative feedback, reviews, or a simple passing criticism can infuriate many people. Me included.
It just hits you like a ton of bricks. That’s why most YouTubers don’t bother reading comments under their videos. People online are mean and don’t care about hurting others’ feelings.
Chilled people, on the flip side, are open to feedback. They don’t let it affect their self-esteem negatively and don’t take it personally. In fact, they see it as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
As they should.
So, tell me. Are you the same? Do you just brush off comments or criticisms?
4) Coping with technology or gadget malfunctions
I think I got most of my grey hair from dealing with glitches, bugs, and inconsistencies when dealing with phones and computers. And don’t even mention printers to me!
They’ve come straight from Hell and are here to torment us.
On the other side, a chilled person stays calm when faced with technology glitches. They simply start troubleshooting or ask someone to help them instead of getting frustrated.
They’re brilliant, really. They just let someone else lose their nerves instead of them.
5) Waiting for an important response or decision
And we’re back to waiting again. It seems like most of our lives we spend waiting for things. But waiting for an important response or decision is especially painful, isn’t it?
When something is incredibly important to you, you want to know the results immediately. But that’s not how it works in most cases.
A chilled personality understands that some things take time and avoids unnecessary stress while waiting for consequential responses or decisions.
There’s no point pulling your hair out, as it doesn’t help the situation anyway.
6) Facing financial challenges without excessive worry
Like most people, I was in a dire financial situation most of my life. You always feel like you don’t have enough money to cover all the expenses like rent, groceries, a 72” TV, a $50,000 car, a $1,200 phone, etc.
All kidding aside, a chilled person remains optimistic and resourceful even in tough financial times. They focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problem.
And the truth is, sometimes you do need to ease on the Starbucks coffee or deliveries.
7) Facing challenges or setbacks at work or in personal projects
Some workplaces are more forgiving than others. And some of the worst-paid jobs are also some of the most demanding and demeaning, which just doesn’t make any sense.
But almost all of them come with challenges that make most people think about whether it’s really worth it.
If you have a chilled personality, you see challenges as opportunities for growth. You maintain a positive attitude and persist even through setbacks.
For all I know, you could be the person that lives by the old – “Fail fast; fail often.”
8) Handling minor inconveniences or mishaps
I recently had to spend hours on the phone waiting to be connected to an airline support agent so I could fix my sister’s mistake when booking a plane ticket.
I actually felt proud of how I dealt with it because I continued with my day while I was waiting to get connected. I did all my chores and then some.
But then, they asked me to upload a document she didn’t have, and that was the end of calmness for me because, at that moment, I realized I’ll have to do this all over again in a few days when we got the document. Argh!
When misunderstandings arise, do you approach them patiently and seek to clarify the situation rather than jump to conclusions? Do you calmly wait for hours on end to get connected?
A chilled personality sees minor inconveniences or mishaps as small bumps in the road. They quickly find solutions or workarounds rather than dwelling on the negative aspects.
9) Reacting to changes in plans or sudden cancellations
Last-minute cancellations from friends or family members, delayed flights, sold-out products you desperately need – they can all take their toll on our composure.
Situations like these are where your personality truly comes out. Most people freak out and frantically look for solutions.
Others with a chilled personality adapt with grace and flexibility when plans unexpectedly change.
After all, life is unpredictable, it has incredibly many moving parts, and we can’t expect it to conform to us.
Oh no. It’s us who have to adjust our expectations accordingly.
10) Coping with minor health issues like a headache or a cold
It’s a well-known fact that men start behaving like babies as soon as they get a minor cold. They fixate on their discomfort and want to be treated like royalty just because they have sniffles.
Instead of being a burden on others, a chilled person takes care of themselves, rests when needed, and trusts that the minor condition will pass soon enough.
11) Dealing with loud or disruptive people in public spaces
If there’s something I hate, it’s people who are loud, disruptive, and generally obnoxious in public spaces.
They either have no self-awareness or simply don’t care about others. The same goes for people leaving shopping carts in the middle of the aisle and those who walk in the middle of the sidewalk or staircase.
Instead of being irritated by loud or disruptive individuals, a chilled person is patient and understanding, knowing everyone has their moments.
They also remain composed when faced with rudeness or confrontation. They respond calmly or disengage if necessary, avoiding unnecessary conflicts.
12) Handling unexpected weather conditions
Let me evoke some images in your mind. You’ve long planned the perfect camping trip with your family.
The day has finally arrived, and you’ve set up the tent, arranged the seating area outside, dug up a fire pit, and have the marshmallows ready.
Then it begins.
A thunderstorm starts ripping through the skies. While you were hoping for clear skies and a starry night, thunder and lightning rolled in, forcing you to seek shelter in your tent.
Everything is soaking wet, and your camping trip is potentially already ruined even before it ever really started.
Whether it’s rain on a picnic day or a sudden heatwave, a chilled person embraces the unpredictability of the weather and makes the best of the situation.
They don’t moan and curse the skies for what happened.
13) Navigating through a crowded and busy environment
And finally, every introvert’s worst nightmare – crowded and busy environments full of strangers.
Whether you find yourself in a bustling city, a crowded event, or a busy shopping mall, it requires patience, awareness, and adaptability.
In such situations, a chilled personality remains composed and avoids being overwhelmed. They move at their own pace and don’t let external factors agitate them.
They stay aware of their surroundings to avoid collisions or inconveniencing others.
If someone appears lost or confused, they even offer assistance, helping them find their way or providing information.
And when faced with crowded buses, trains, or subways, they patiently wait for their turn to board, making room for others and understanding that not everyone can find a seat.
Final thoughts
So there you have it. Did you manage to stay calm reading this article, or did you get agitated at the mere thought of going through some of the situations I described?
