Earlier this year I was incredibly relaxed, I never snapped at anybody, never was aggressive however I was politely assertive and didn't get messed around. I could let things slide that didn't matter and I had a great outlook, nothing was good or bad, it just was.

I still don't get messed around however I continually find myself being wound up with anger, disappointment and frustration over things that shouldn't phase me. Although it doesn't stop me from enjoying myself and living my life, it does leave me disenchanted knowing that I shouldn't be wound up by banal shit.

I need to gain perspective and give myself some anchors that make me think, hey its just door being left open I'll close it if i don't like it rather than I can't believe that twat is inconsiderate little prick not closing the door behind him.

In short does anybody have any tips, methods and experience of acheiving this gain of perspective? Obviously there are obvious answers like taking a trip to Africa to realise what i have or helping the homeless. I'm talking mental (or indeed physical) exercises and methods

Thanks in advance

I too have become increasingly irate in the last few months, letting things bother me that wouldn't normally bother me..

Have your circumstances changed at all? Home life, career, social group, eating and exercise habits, girlfriend?

I find that looking at cool quotes online seems to give me some perspective, but this is only temporary and I get bored and think MEH to them.

Sex is pretty good at making nothing else matter!

I think some of it is down to the seasonal change but not all of it, shorter days, cold, not outside so much etc.

If anything my circumstances have got better. Changed from a good job to an awesome job with brilliant perks & ace promotion opportunities. Dating girls who I thought would have been out of my league this time last year. Having sex 3-5 times a week, my exercise has dropped to 4 days per week rather than the 5-6 it used to be but not that you'd notice. This last week my diet has gone into the Festive Frenzie but I've been feeling like this for a while now...

Haha I know what you mean but I want to get back to the POV that I'm not fussed about sex even.

I really am thinking of maybe going on holiday to do some charity work just so you get an idea of what really matters, then maybe stripping life back to basics

when your getting vexed just take a step back and think 'does it really matter'
'do i really give a fuck'

If it's that nagging sense that you were 'meant for something more/else', take a step back try and figure out exactly what that something more/else IS...and then drop all the other shit and just do it.

Failing that:

Helping people/lifting weights/hitting a heavy bag or fucking someone all seem to work for me...

Although that may be a part of it I take something too seriously, it's more of an intensity that I apply to menial and large tasks or problems that I really shouldn't.

I guess I'm just looking for something constant that when I reference myself against will make me stop arguing over trivial crap like car park spaces etc.

I think for me earlier in the year I had a great colleague who i worked alongside and although she appeared to be soft or weak, she just turned everything as a positive. I mean everything, if something went wrong it was something to learn or a modification on our processes that hadn't been thought of. I thought it would be Flanders style annoying but it was actually really motivating and relaxing and rubbed off on me where I can honestly say I was the most contented and least aggressive that I have ever been.

I found a great quote by Ghandi earlier when I was searching for bits and peices like this
"Be the change you want to see in the world"
I guess I have to start doing, pop some reminders as my wallpapers, maybe an appropriate wrist band that will keep me in check if I start to lose site of this "Zen" goal...

I think that could well be a part of it. Before I die I want to contribute something to the world, something beautiful that touches hearts, I just don't know how I can transfer my skills or passions as they are into a vessel that could acheive that (right now)

I also find work really easy, to the point where think I would be better suited in an R&D environment as opposed to support/production element. I like to press forward and develop, not just manage, increase efficiency, cut costs, blah blah blah as it's easy and I find very few areas that need innovative thinking to overcome problems