Many times a day, we humans are aggravated by the most trivial things. Whether it’s the tiniest of implications our friends make, the ceaseless drama of bloodlines, or the unintended circumstances bestowed upon us by life, we find that our daily rituals are constantly being disturbed.

It is not unjust of us to be angered by nonsensical things; but rather a careless function of our minds. I mean, come on— as human beings, we endure through our daily lives simply trying to fill in our time with enjoyment and success. Even if it’s on the most basic of levels, like getting home from work or completing an errand, success is still a sought out virtue to which we derive some sort of prosperity. Even when such positive things are acquired however, it seems even one tiny bump on our journey to the end of the day can be our downfall for the rest of our time.

Like I’ve written in previous articles, it’s the littlest things that can bring us the most joy. It’s also the littlest things that can bring us the greatest strife. For words in arguments can be like knives, but in those little everyday incidents, they can be like paper. They might skim along your palm without much ado, but at other times, they inflict small cuts that sear your skin and bruise your mind.

We’ve all had days where our temperaments were suddenly tested by something we’ll end up forgetting months later. So in truth, was what occurred really worth the energy we negatively put out? The answer is no— but I greatly understand that at the moment, it means everything.

The first thing to remember when something small angers your core, is to stop letting others’ words aggravate you further. You may or may not be making a big deal out of nothing, but the important thing to acknowledge is not that you’re angry, but that you’re feeling. Sometimes, when small things trigger us, we must come to realize that it is a reflection of something greater from our past. We are not angry over nothing, but our subconscious is trying to make us aware of what has hurt us before. It is like a discreet yet powerful reminder of problems we are unable or refuse to acknowledge— though they are stationed at the forefront of our lives.

So in order to combat these unforeseen anguishes, we must in a way, battle ourselves. We must transform our mentalities the second these instances occur, or face the wrath of our thoughts tormenting us until something new comes to distract us again. The second someone states something that irks you, behaves in an unruly way, or some other nonsensical infliction that grants access to your mind, tell it, “Who cares?” or “It’s not worth it.”

Somebody cuts you off and you’re ready to tailgate them so they notice your outrage? It’s not worth it. Someone insults your apparel? Who cares. A friend offends you with thoughtless words? It’s not worth it.

It really isn’t.

And it’s not that the people aren’t worth interacting with; it’s that your anger doesn’t sum up the worth of your being. Don’t let the little things consume you. You’ve got bigger fish to fry in the world. Every day you must fight for some sort of larger justification as to why these little incidents are nothing but trivial things.

So fight to be happy.

Fight to be kind.

Fight the negative thoughts.

Fight for yourself—because you’re the only one that can keep the little things little.

-Kiran Bains Sahota