As the saying goes, life is short. That means you should enjoy it while you can and make the most of it. Doing that can be hard if you take things way too seriously, though. Here are some things that people make too big a deal of, and avoiding doing so yourself is likely to make you a lot happier:
Validation on Social Media
Much activity on social media comes down to seeking attention. Life is about a lot more than collecting likes and compliments when you post something. Looking for validation on social media can compound loneliness and turn toxic when the attention you receive is negative.
Celebrities
We can all appreciate the talents of celebrities and how they shape our culture. However, they’re just people, after all, and investing time and emotion into what they say and do isn’t doing anything for you.
Themselves
Taking yourself and life too seriously isn’t healthy. The happiest people tend to be those who can shrug off mishaps and laugh at themselves.
Being Wrong
Everybody’s wrong sometimes, and that’s okay. People who can’t accept being wrong from time to time tend to be angrier and more argumentative than most other people are, and they can be toxic and exhausting to be around.
Outrage Peddlers
Far too many of us pay way too much attention to people peddling outrage on cable and the radio. Be aware that these people are making money off your outrage and that, quite often, they don’t believe the things they say.
Social Media Influencers
Some people are flabbergasted that a social media influencer is even a thing. More puzzling to them are all the people who follow them and care about what they post.
Children’s Sports
Some of the worst behavior you’ll ever see by adults takes place at kids’ sporting events. Profanity, threats, and physical assaults have led to embarrassment, ejections, and even arrests.
What Other People Think
You can’t control what other people choose to think about you. It matters far more that you know who you are and feel good in your skin.
Getting Married and Having Kids
There’s nothing wrong with these things, and most people do one or both in their lifetimes. However, it’s not a law that you have to follow that path, so don’t let pressure from others lead you to a choice you’re not 100% into.
Traffic
Yes, bad traffic and bad drivers are facts of everyday life for most people. Take a deep breath, though, when someone cuts you off, and just let it go. The rage is unhealthy for you, and when people act on it, there can be serious, even deadly, consequences.
Diamonds
Diamonds are pretty, and many people love them. That’s fine. But a diamond is, at its core, just a very pretty rock. You don’t need to go into debt to buy expensive jewelry that serves no practical value.
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Fraternities and sororities are places where you can have lots of fun and make lifelong friends. There are other ways to do that, though, so you shouldn’t feel the need to join one unless that’s what you want.
Comments on the Internet
It can feel satisfying to fire off a snarky or belligerent response to someone who posts something dumb or offensive on the internet. Just be aware that threads that turn into dumpster fires never change a single mind. They just enrage the participants and amuse the observers.
Video Games
It’s just a game. Nothing real is riding on it. Don’t be that person screaming obscenities at the screen, and don’t let them consume all your free time.
Pro Sports
Pro sports can bring out many of the same bad behaviors you see in kids’ sports. In this case, though, it’s even more ridiculous since the players don’t even know who you are and probably don’t care what you think.
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