Many of the things we stress over today may feel urgent, but in the grand scheme of life, they often lose significance over time. If you recognize what these things are, you can live a more relaxing and care-free life. So, this list explores some of the concerns that might seem critical now but are unlikely to matter a decade from now.
Work Competition
Some workplace competition is healthy. Business.com says that “when appropriate groups compete against each other, people will be motivated because they have a more realistic chance of winning.” But some workplace competition is ruthless and unhealthy. But when the work dynamic changes, you will forget all about that.
Pop Culture Scandals
Social media and the rapid spread of celebrity information can make pop culture scandals seem more important than they actually are. Although some topics are rather controversial, the likelihood is that we will not remember the arguments and the hubbub they caused years from now.
Technology Glitches
Figures from Social Shepherd show that “2.085 billion users, on average, visit Facebook every day.” Social media platforms that have a lot of active users are constantly being scrutinized. When a page goes down or a platform glitches, it can seem like the whole internet goes crazy. But minor glitches will not matter ten years from now.
Not Getting the Job
You thought you had nailed the interview and were excited to start working for the company. But unfortunately, you didn’t get the job. Although you might struggle to find a similar job right now, you will find one that makes you happy sooner or later.
Sibling Squabbles
Minor sibling squabbles take place every day in families with young children. When you are young, these fights seem like the be-all and end-all and you don’t know how you could ever forgive or trust your sibling again. But when you get older, you will be able to laugh when remembering these times.
Not Being Invited
Did a friend hold a party and forget to invite you? This might seem like the ultimate friendship breaker for you right now. But in a few weeks or months, you might forget about what they did and restore your friendship. Years from now, you won’t even recall what happened.
Minor Financial Setbacks
So perhaps you didn’t manage your money as well as you should have last month. You had too many outgoing payments. This might set you back for a little while, but don’t let this get you down. In the future, you likely won’t remember the months when you struggled to make ends meet.
Fashion Trends
Buying an item of clothing that is on trend might seem like the most essential thing on your to-do list right now. But years from now, when you look back on the trends that have passed, you will forget how important this item of clothing was to you and all the hype that went with it.
Failing an Exam
Failing an exam is not a nice feeling. It can make you worry about your future and whether you have just jeopardized your chances of being successful. The truth is, however, that exams can be repeated and credits can be gained from other subjects. So the exam you failed today will not be important in the future.
Social Media Disputes
Because of how easy it is to get hold of thousands of people at once via social media, a topic can quickly become viral and turn into an online dispute. Although these disputes may seem like hot topics right now, we are unlikely to remember them years from now.
Latest Smartphones
Owning the latest smartphone seems like the most important thing in many people’s lives. They camp outside stores just to be the first people to buy them. But the latest smartphone is only important until the next one comes out. And no one will care about any of the smartphones we have now in ten years.
Social Media Followers
Statistics from Sprout Social show that “the average person uses 6.7 different social networks per month.” We all have a different number of followers on each platform. Losing a few followers here and there may make you feel concerned. But this will not matter 10 years from now.
Not Getting into Uni
Did you get rejected from a university where you wanted to study? Some unis, such as Oxford or Cambridge, are notoriously hard to get into, but it can still be disappointing when your attempts are unsuccessful. However, once you begin working, the college you studied at ceases to be important.
Embarrassing Moments
According to Psychology Today, “embarrassment (not unlike shame) frequently occurs when you worry too much about what others think of you.” Yes, more often than not, we feel embarrassed because we overthink things. Later down the line, though, we will forget why we worried so much about so-called embarrassing things.
Minor Mistakes
We all make mistakes; it’s just a part of life. But the mistake that you just made might feel like the end of the world. If you have good people in your life who are ready to forgive, you might have already forgotten everything that happened by next weekend.
Protests
Protests and road closures in major cities that disrupt people trying to get to work and school might make the news for several days. But not long after the protests are over, everyone seems to forget about the issue that was being protested. Ten years from now, these issues will be distant memories.
Sports Outcomes
The outcomes of sports might seem very important while the game is in season, but people tend to forget how riled up they felt not long after the game ends. Ten years from now, any hard feelings that were experienced as the result of a sports game will be forgotten.