Every day, we encounter situations that are completely out of our hands—whether it’s a delayed subway, long lines at the airport, waiting for a late friend, or arriving too early for plans. In moments like these, it’s easy to become impatient, frustrated, and overwhelmed by anxiety.
I recently found myself in just such a situation at the Atlanta airport, stuck in a painfully slow security line as my boarding time crept closer, then passed. It would have been natural to panic and start bombarding myself (or my partner) with questions no one could answer: Why is this taking so long? Why aren’t more TSA agents helping? What if we miss the plane? But instead, I made a conscious decision to surrender to the reality of the moment. None of those questions had helpful answers, and even if they did, the answers wouldn’t change anything. So, I chose to let go and accept that this was beyond my control.
As I stood there, I noticed other passengers anxiously craning their necks to see the front, tapping their feet, and sighing loudly in frustration. But I found that by choosing to relax, I felt much calmer. I reminded myself that if we missed the flight, I would deal with it. There would be other options, and stressing wouldn’t change a thing. Thankfully, we made the flight, and it took off on
time.
Once on the plane, I faced yet another common source of anxiety: flying. But rather than focusing on the ways I could distract myself, I leaned into the experience. I realized there was nothing else I needed to be doing for the next two hours except sitting on this plane. It was an oddly liberating thought. On a typical day, my schedule is packed from start to finish, so the idea of simply sitting there—without any pressing tasks—felt refreshing. I looked out the window, appreciating the view of the clouds, and allowed myself to relax into the moment.
Accepting these everyday inconveniences can significantly reduce our stress levels. If you arrive at your subway station only to find out the train line is down, there’s nothing to do but find an alternative route. If the train stops for an extended period, the only option is to wait until the issue is resolved—which, trust me, it will be. Getting worked up won’t help the situation or make it pass any quicker. Ask yourself: what good will it do to get upset? You’ll likely realize that it serves no purpose and only adds unnecessary stress and anxiety.
The reality is, many things—like the MTA, airport security lines, or delayed flights—are indifferent to our stress. Our anxiety doesn’t fuel them, nor does it resolve the problem. Staying calm and taking things as they come allows us to handle these moments with more grace. And if you end up late to work because of a train issue, it’s often one of the most forgivable excuses. Everything tends to work out in the end, and you’ll likely be able to continue your day without carrying the weight of unnecessary stress.