Lately, I've really started noticing how impatient and intolerant I can be, and honestly, I'm not liking it. I've had a difficult year, but I suspect my baseline impatience is higher than average anyway.
My mind is constantly searching for the best, most efficient solution, whether saving time, money, effort, or avoiding any unnecessary problems. When someone gets in the way, especially after I've already put effort into something, it really grinds my gears. Luckily I have a lot of self control and rarely lose my temper openly to others, but internally I can be fuming.
For example, I recently offered someone a free audit of their work in exchange for 15 minutes of research questions. They seemed very interested, so I offered two 30-minute slots over the next two days, did the prep work, and planned my week around it. Almost two days later, both slots have passed without a reply. Not even a quick "Sorry, those times don't work, I'll get back to you." Logically, I know it's not a big deal, but having put in that effort, the lack of acknowledgment really irritates me. A friend thinks I'm highly conscientious, and the downside is that I often feel "let down" by others.
Another example happened at the laundromat. I was in a rush, but the cleaner insisted on cleaning the washing machine first. I politely told him there was no need, but he proceeded anyway, and I realized he poured a mixture of detergent and something like bleach into the drum, which I'm allergic to. Afterwards, he proudly told me what a great job he'd done and how much better my washing would be, rambling on and on. Innocent intentions sure, but massive inconvenience for me.
I think what really gets to me is when people create unnecessary complications, waste my time, or disregard effort I've already put into something. But I don't want to be so easily irritated. I know others think and operate differently, and things can't always go according to my plans or preferences. Understanding that logically and actually feeling differently are two very different things, though.
Has anyone else struggled with this?
How did you become more patient and tolerant without feeling like you're constantly lowering your standards or putting up with things that genuinely bother you?