Do you take life too seriously?

Do you get constantly wound up by little things that really really don't matter? If so, why do you bother? Why do you let little things get to you?

I tend to walk away from things if my blood pressure rises, because life's too damn short to be sweatin' the small stuff. Sometimes I will walk away a bit later than I should have done, but once I do I get over things almost instantly.

I know there are people who just cannot let things go though and who get wound up by what other people think. I'd hate to be like that, really would. Sounds miserable. People who can't separate what really matters, from what doesn't.

Do you ever take a step back and go "who the hell cares?". I do. It's nice.

NachoBusiness

Why so many words OP!!

NachoBusiness

NachoBusiness wrote: »

Why so many words! OP!!

Because I can.

anvilfour

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you get constantly wound up by little things that really really don't matter? If so, why do you bother? Why do you let little things get to you?

I tend to walk away from things if my blood pressure rises, because life's too damn short to be sweatin' the small stuff. Sometimes I will walk away a bit later than I should have done, but once I do I get over things almost instantly.

I know there are people who just cannot let things go though and who get wound up by what other people think. I'd hate to be like that, really would. Sounds miserable. People who can't separate what really matters, from what doesn't.

Do you ever take a step back and go "who the hell cares?". I do. It's nice.

So you became a Moderator on Boards...? :-D

anvilfour

anvilfour wrote: »

So you became a Moderator on Boards...? :-D

If I didn't have that attitude modding After Hours, I probably would have been committed by now :pac:

Tokyo

Pretty much the same. I probably took things far more seriously than I should have in my early 20's, until life taught me that the biggest things you'll ever have to deal with are often out of your hands, and the small things aren't worth sweating, in the greater scheme of things, and getting wrapped up in them usually means missing out somewhere else.

There are still things that genuinely get to me, and I can't let them go until I've dealt with them one way or another, but nowadays, for the most part, I walk away and shrug it off - life is too short, and all that. I feel like a better person for it.

hadepsx

its hard to turn/walk away when the things that piss you off are right on your doorstep.

Generic Dreadhead

I wish I didn't get so wound up about stuff, but I do, my brains wired all weird like to be all "GREY T-SHIRTS DON'T GO THERE AARRRGGHHHH!!!!"

The Backwards Man

All the time. Often start running scenarios through me head, even falling out with people and all in them, and then eventually I cop on and I think to myself 'you're wan silly bastard Backwards Man' and I forget about it.

I think everybody does this whether they want to admit or not, just some of us are luckier than others at being able to suppress it.

Mint Aero

I'm mellow as yellow jello my good fello

Crumpets

At this stage I've embarrassed myself so many times in life, I just can't be arsed giving a fÃ႒ºck anymore! tis great

NachoBusiness

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Because I can.

Ah I was just being ironical, or trying to at least.

I agree actually, tis an important life skill to be able to discern between what's worth fretting over and what isn't.

The Backwards Man

The Backwards Man wrote: »

All the time. Often start running scenarios through me head, even falling out with people and all in them, and then eventually I cop on and I think to myself 'you're wan silly bastard Backwards Man' and I forget about it.

I think everybody does this whether they want to admit or not, just some of us are luckier than others at being able to suppress it.

I think that's the thing though, you deal with it in your head and then laugh off how stupid you're being.

I do the same sometimes, I get annoyed and then just go "eh, state of you whoops :pac:" and that's that. It's done.

kfallon

I like a good rant every so often, tis good for the soul!
Better to get it out there than keep it all in!

cml387

Watching the Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin when I was younger had a terrible/wonderful influence on my attitude to work.

Yes I can see it's important and stuff but it does one good to sometimes remember how ridiculous it is to get stressed over work, even if you are doing something more important than marketing instant desserts (and let's face it, most of us aren't).

anncoates

I'm definitely the least irritable person I know. I've often thought of making money from it by doing correspondence courses for people.

Maximus Alexander

I found as I got deeper into my late 20s I became more forgiving, much less likely to hold a grudge, and much more understanding of other peoples (and indeed my own!) shortcomings or failures. I'm happier for it, and probably a better person to be around.

If life lasted forever I could maybe understand treating it as super serious business, but we're a flash in the pan - might as well just get along and stop worrying about it where possible. Sure there's plenty of fun to be had.

brevity

I try to tell myself that I don't care and yet I lie awake at night worrying about the thing I supposedly don't care about.

the evasion_kid

Not anymore,I try find humour in everything but increasingly I find myself trying to stay away from the whole human race

Aongus Von Bismarck

I take my work extremely seriously, and you'd rarely see my idling round the water-cooler 'shooting the breeze' with my colleagues. My work is too important and I'm compensated too well to be nattering away about the results in the Bundesliga.

I don't take other aspects of my life too seriously though. I can be quite the wit when I want to be. I've also found introducing a daily meditation practice into my life has helped me to stop worrying so much about the little things. This has been a huge positive for me.

kfallon

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I take my work extremely seriously, and you'd rarely see my idling round the water-cooler 'shooting the breeze' with my colleagues. My work is too important and I'm compensated too well to be nattering away about the results in the Bundesliga.

How do you know that's what they are talking about if you are never over there 'shooting the breeze'?

Sunny Dayz

Yes I do, some one has to in our house! I take things seriously at work, have a lot of responsibility which I do enjoy in fairness. But I have all the responsibility at home as well. By the time I spend all day, all evening and weekends being responsible at work and at home, I'm too exhausted to relax and have fun.

One eyed Jack

NachoBusiness wrote: »

Ah I was just being ironical, or trying to at least.

I agree actually, tis an important life skill to be able to discern between what's worth fretting over and what isn't.

It's one I'm still trying to master myself unfortunately. It depends really upon what we're talking about and whether it's people or situations and some things I can easily let go and some things I'm worse than a dog with a bone - I'll persevere until I've worn myself out and then I'll think "I really shouldn't have done that. Was it worth it?", and only then I'll realise - it really wasn't.

Some things are worth fighting for though, and I feel an immense sense of achievement upon succeeding, because the payoff is huge and means so much to me, but sometimes, yeah, I really should know better in some cases.

I'm a risk taker though and I always see the positives in everything, so I'm always aiming for a positive outcome for all involved, and when it doesn't work out the way I wanted, it's gutting, but I'm getting better at being able to let it go and move on to the next challenge.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Nope, I get wound up by things that shouldn't matter at all, and things I need to care about, or focus on, I'm good at blocking those out. It's something I most definitely need to change, I guess it's deflecting bigger issues.

sbsquarepants

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I take my work extremely seriously, and you'd rarely see my idling round the water-cooler 'shooting the breeze' with my colleagues. My work is too important and I'm compensated too well to be nattering away about the results in the Bundesliga.

What do you do, if you don't mind me asking.
When you say your work is important, do you mean to you or to the world at large?
I'm not trying to be an asshole or anything I'm just wondering! I know tons of people who view their jobs as vitally important, when the reality is that if they got hit by a bus, their sudden inability to work would have zero lasting consequences for anyone but themselves. I find it hard to think of any job that doesn't fall into that category.

TheBeardedLady

I'd say on the whole, no, though my buttons can be easily pushed when it comes to certain issues and I'm like a dog with a bone when it comes to those and find it very hard to walk away. The only time I'm genuinely irritated by people is on here by a handful of posters when certain issues are discussed and I find it virtually impossible to let it go, though I'm not like that in real life as I don't meet people who express those kinds of opinions very often if at all and if I do, I have the ability to walk away. Online is a different story and the temptation is too great, particularly if I'm bored.

I do tend to overthink things a bit depending on my mood but I'm fairly good at snapping myself out of it though not always. I'm not a worrier generally though relatively speaking and I don't think it's an issue for me. Definitely getting better with age on that front.

The one time I do take things too seriously is when it comes to work: it's very, very important to me that I'm seen as responsible and to be taking my job seriously and that was the case even when I was making sandwiches for a living. I'm a little too concerned to be seen as the perfect employee and that causes some stress as I worry for even the most minor fook up.

OldNotWIse

Sometimes I get worked up about stuff that I actually don't even care about. I was invited to a function that I didn't want to go to. I also couldn't go. I was annoyed because I couldn't go. Then someone stepped up and offered to cover so that I could go - and now I am annoyed because I have to go.

sbsquarepants

OldNotWIse wrote: »

Sometimes I get worked up about stuff that I actually don't even care about. I was invited to a function that I didn't want to go to. I also couldn't go. I was annoyed because I couldn't go. Then someone stepped up and offered to cover so that I could go - and now I am annoyed because I have to go.

Bitches be crazy:D:D

I had a conversation with the missus a while. She needed someone to mind the kids on Tuesday while she went to physio.

Me: ask my mother, she'll do it no bother.
Her: No, I'm not asking her
Me: Why not?
Her: Because she'll do it
Me: Eh, is that not what you want?
Her: Of course not, she has her own stuff to do.
Me: If she can't do it she won't
Her: And then I'd have no one to mind them
Me: Sort of like you don't now then.....
Her: Shut up
Me: I'll ask her
Her: No she'll definitely do it if you ask
Me: Do you not want to go or something?
Her: Jesus, do you ever listen - of course I want to go
Me: Oh, I fúcking give up!

5rtytry56

As the first declared introvert on this thread, I can say No, I don't take life that seriously at all.

Where's Chrissy? Have'nt seen her on this thread yet. Or any of that other gang like Renegade Mechanic.

Neyite

I used to take everything way too seriously, and seriously stress about the littlest things. Now like Mike says, the big stuff is out of my hands and the little stuff is too little to affect the quality of my life so I try not to let stuff get to me. I'm a much happier person now than I was in previous decades.

I'm very laid back and easygoing and probably come across on boards as more serious than I really am.

Micky Dolenz

I don't take life seriously enough. It will be over and I'll be grinning like an idiot.

Earthhorse

Probably, I do. On the other hand, I don't feel other people take it seriously enough. Particularly, they don't consider how their sh*tty behaviour could effect others. A lot of people treat others like crap and then expect to not be called on it. But I do call them on it which is often stressful as most people, even if they agree, just want the quiet life. I find it hard to let stuff like that go too.

TheBeardedLady

Earthhorse wrote: »

Probably, I do. On the other hand, I don't feel other people take it seriously enough. Particularly, they don't consider how their sh*tty behaviour could effect others. A lot of people treat others like crap and then expect to not be called on it. But I do call them on it which is often stressful as most people, even if they agree, just want the quiet life. I find it hard to let stuff like that go too.

I have a lot of respect for people like you - more respect than for someone who lets everything slide and chooses to turn a blind eye on every occasion.

Earthhorse

Earthhorse wrote: »

Probably, I do. On the other hand, I don't feel other people take it seriously enough. Particularly, they don't consider how their sh*tty behaviour could effect others. A lot of people treat others like crap and then expect to not be called on it. But I do call them on it which is often stressful as most people, even if they agree, just want the quiet life. I find it hard to let stuff like that go too.

I call people out on stuff all the time. I don't think that's taking life too seriously though, I think that's looking out for others which everyone should do.

Earthhorse

TheBeardedLady wrote: »

I have a lot of respect for people like you - more respect than for someone who lets everything slide and chooses to turn a blind eye on every occasion.

Aw, thanks.

Deleted User wrote: »

I call people out on stuff all the time. I don't think that's taking life too seriously though, I think that's looking out for others which everyone should do.

Yeah, but I think you probably let it go after? Whereas it bugs me that these people behaved this way in the first place, expected to get away with it, wouldn't fess up once called on it and didn't really suffer any consequences because of it. Ya dig?

Neyite

Deleted User wrote: »

I call people out on stuff all the time. I don't think that's taking life too seriously though, I think that's looking out for others which everyone should do.

Yep, I might be laid back, but I'm nobody's doormat either. People have made the mistake of thinking nice = pushover from time to time, but have usually only made that mistake with me once.

4zn76tysfajdxp

I mean, you have to take some things seriously: your personal health, how you treat others, brushing your teeth. But for the most part I try to be okay.

eamonnq

Suarez Rex wrote: »

I find meditation has been helpful too, if I find myself worrying excessively I focus on my breadth and allow the unnecessary thoughts to pass.

Worried about your weight ??

Earthhorse

Neyite wrote: »

Yep, I might be laid back, but I'm nobody's doormat either. People have made the mistake of thinking nice = pushover from time to time, but have usually only made that mistake with me once.

This isn't really about standing up for myself but standing up for others moreso. Situations where you don't have any real investment in the outcome.

Earthhorse

Earthhorse wrote: »

Yeah, but I think you probably let it go after? Whereas it bugs me that these people behaved this way in the first place, expected to get away with it, wouldn't fess up once called on it and didn't really suffer any consequences because of it. Ya dig?

Yeh I do, but I usually leave the situations such a way that the other person is sufficiently embarrassed at what they've done and apologised or whatever :pac:

Like that guy recently who rubbed his nose, picked up bread, put the bread back, and picked up another loaf. He ended up with two loaves of bread because I'm a cnut. Anyone agreeing with the latter part of that statement will be banned :pac:

Yeh, I would stick up for others more than I stick up for myself. Mostly because things don't bother me the same way they bother other people.

Earthhorse

Deleted User wrote: »

Like that guy recently who rubbed his nose, picked up bread, put the read back, and picked up another loaf. He ended up with two loaves of bread because I'm a cnut. Anyone agreeing with the latter part of that statement will be banned :pac:

What if I just thank it?

Fair enough, you got a result, you see - I'd be satisfied with that. More often than not I have people thanking me after the case but taking a stand at the time which means the person gets away with it.

Neyite

Earthhorse wrote: »

This isn't really about standing up for myself but standing up for others moreso. Situations where you don't have any real investment in the outcome.

Oh I do that too.

anncoates

Neyite wrote: »

and probably come across on boards as more serious than I really am.

I think that, depending on the context, the extremities of people's personalities (good and bad) are more to the fore online, especially in the general forums.

beks101

I do sometimes tbh. I find Im getting a bit fussier as I get older too. I like things a certain way, whether it's my hair or my house or the state of my desk at work.

I have an increasing intolerance and infuriation at laziness, sloppiness, nastiness and sh1tty behaviour too and I'm not likely to hold my tongue if I see it. I'll either rant or walk away, depending on my mood.

I think at the heart of this it can be an ego thing really. I've gotten to where I am in life, personally as well as professionally, by sweating the small stuff and stressing over the little things so badly that I had to change them, be proactive about these minor details so I could get a decent night's sleep. My mother is an absolute fretterer and worrier through and through so that probably contributes to it too. I can expect too much of myself and sometimes of other people maybe, but ultimately it means I'm moving forwards, maybe that's how I'd see it.

I think it's easy to have that dose of perspective on what is important when you're going through something traumatic - a bereavement, a terminal illness - but once life resumes as normal, you're back in the thick of it and can get swept away by the minutae of every day living like everyone else. That's been my experience of it anyway.

Luckily I have some lovely copped on people in my life who will call me a daft b1tch and help me to laugh at things that are stressing me out. And that's mainly how I get through life. Ranting and laughing a lot.

5rtytry56

good rant, beks:P:p

byronbay2

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I take my work extremely seriously, and you'd rarely see my idling round the water-cooler 'shooting the breeze' with my colleagues. My work is too important and I'm compensated too well to be nattering away about the results in the Bundesliga.

sbsquarepants wrote: »

What do you do, if you don't mind me asking.

Are you taking the piss or what? EVERYONE on Boards knows that AvB is a high-flyer in German finance! Came from very humble beginnings too, I might add.

I can get far too anxious about things that don't really matter or even may never happen.

I really get wound up with myself if I feel I'm failing to deal with things that have a substantial effect on other people, that's way worse than just messing things up for yourself.

I probably do take life too seriously, but I'm getting better at having a word with myself and getting over myself, and stepping back.

Cold War Kid

I used to get hugely wound up by people here and on other discussion forums - really got to me how atrociously nasty people can be. Now I don't bother even reading those kinda threads anymore, and I'm better off - pointless getting involved. A reaction is all that a lot of them are looking for anyway.

At the same time though, what's not a big deal to some people, is to others. I don't agree with "It's only the internet" etc either. I find that kinda dismissive. The internet blurs with real life loads now. It's gone way past the "other dimension" it used to occupy. This site alone is where friendships are made, relationships start, nights out are arranged from, clubs and groups are organised... However, saying in a helpful manner to people not to let little things get to them, is good advice (I'd apply that to the OP; although "It must be a sh-t way to live" is a bit black and white - it's not something people volunteer to be, however I agree they should work on it).

TheBeardedLady wrote: »

I have a lot of respect for people like you - more respect than for someone who lets everything slide and chooses to turn a blind eye on every occasion.

+1. I'd like to think that I'd do it, but don't always - and I'm not proud of it. I've let sh-t thrown at myself slide too though.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you take life too seriously?
Do you get constantly wound up by little things that really really don't matter?

I think they are two separate things in a way. I take life very seriously. Too seriously or not seriously enough I do not know - but I take it seriously and try to take it more seriously not less.

But while doing so I am like you - I try to allocate my moment to moment attentions in the long and short term in such a way that I am not taking the wrong things too seriously. Certainly - as you say - being overly concerned with what others think - especially what they think about me or my life - is at the bottom of the list of my concerns - if even on the list at all.

A rise in blood pressure is not in itself a reason for me to walk away from something though - if I feel the investment of blood pressure is warranted. But there are surprisingly few things that have that affect on me - or wind me up - or make me doubt myself or my life path.

Certainly online forums - especially after hours - as you will know from being a moderator - are one of the best arenas to watch people get massively and disproportionately invested in - and worked up over - the most amazing levels of triviality and inanity.

And that is just a comment from a user - I can but imagine from experience moderating other forums - the level of inane commentary and bickering you see in post reports and DM discussions about moderation decisions. My own past experiences moderating some sites left me with a rather dented faith in concepts like adult maturity and decorum.

But generally I am a happy happy guy

LadyAthame

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you get constantly wound up by little things that really really don't matter? If so, why do you bother? Why do you let little things get to you?

I tend to walk away from things if my blood pressure rises, because life's too damn short to be sweatin' the small stuff. Sometimes I will walk away a bit later than I should have done, but once I do I get over things almost instantly.

I know there are people who just cannot let things go though and who get wound up by what other people think. I'd hate to be like that, really would. Sounds miserable. People who can't separate what really matters, from what doesn't.

Do you ever take a step back and go "who the hell cares?". I do. It's nice.

"The world would not be in such a snarl, had Marx been Groucho instead of Karl". Irving Berlin

It's when people take themselves too seriously really. People take themselves too seriously at the expense of life. Life taken seriously is actually quite funny.

I can be guilty of taking myself too seriously. But I do have the saving grace of humor. I do rebound well. I think I am most daft and hilarious when I do take myself seriously. I catch myself and imagine the next move as a prat fall.

Our personal little foibles of how things are done and physical comfort ..well we all do that. But taking that too seriously as a flaw is taking life too seriously.

It's not best to think too much about it. Which i invariably do.

I take life seriously but it's funny how serious I take it. I take it to silly extremes then I take silliness as an obsession. I have a weird brain.


I tend to act out more on my heart than anything. ..and then sometimes I just get cranky!

walkingshadow

I don't take life too seriously. Now, lets close this thread and get back to work right away.