Let’s talk about patience.

Have you ever had one of those days when something small throws off your whole schedule?

Well, that happened to me this week.

The city decided to repave my street, and they sent a notice saying we could expect delays.

But not just a quick two-minute stop—we’re talking 15 to 30 minutes every time we leave the house!

Here’s the thing: I’m usually a “grab my keys at the last second” kind of person.

I leave just enough time to arrive exactly when I need to.

So, adding a possible half-hour delay threw me off.

My first thought?

“Are you kidding me?”

But after I took a deep breath and stepped back, I saw this as a chance to learn something valuable—patience.

Why Patience Actually Matters

I’ll be honest: patience isn’t my strongest skill.

And maybe you can relate.

We live in a world where everything happens quickly—food, internet, messages.

We’re not used to waiting, and when we have to, it feels strange or frustrating.

But when you slow down, something interesting happens.

You notice things. You become calmer. Your stress melts away.

Instead of feeling annoyed by every delay, you start seeing waiting as a small moment to pause.

Think about it. The more we rush, the easier it is to get upset over tiny problems.

But when we choose patience, we give ourselves the space to breathe and relax—even if we’re stuck waiting on a freshly paved street.

Why is Patience So Hard?

Even though patience is a good thing, it’s tough.

Why?

Because we don’t like change, and we definitely don’t like things we can’t control.

For me, waiting in traffic feels like I’m losing control of my day.

What if I’m late?

What if someone gets mad at me for being late?

But guess what? Most of those worries are just in my head.

Patience asks us to accept what we can’t change.

It sounds simple—but doing it takes practice.

So How Do We Get Better at Being Patient?

Glad you asked.

Here are a few practical ways I’m trying to become more patient.

Give Yourself More Time Than You Need

I’m learning to leave my house earlier, even when I don’t think I’ll need the extra time.

Yes, it feels weird to leave 20 minutes early for a 15-minute drive, but trust me, it works.

It gives me room to breathe if something unexpected happens—like waiting behind a construction crew.

Extra time feels like a safety net.

It lets you relax instead of rush.

And that peace of mind makes patience easier.

Look at the Big Picture

At first, when I saw that notice about delays, I thought only about being late.

But then I reminded myself why the delays are happening.

I’ll soon have a smooth, safe road outside my home—no more bumps or potholes!

When you look at the big picture, delays become easier to handle.

You realize the small inconvenience right now leads to something good later.

Practice Patience in Small Moments First

Patience isn’t a skill you’re born with. You build it little by little.

So, why not practice with small things?

For example, choose the longest checkout line at the store on purpose.

It sounds silly, right? But it’s a great way to get used to waiting.

Each small choice builds up your patience muscles for bigger challenges.

Turn Waiting into Relaxing

This one has helped me a lot.

When I’m stuck waiting, I try not to see it as a waste of time.

Instead, I treat it like a break.

I listen to a favorite podcast or just breathe slowly.

A few calm moments can totally change your mood.

Waiting doesn’t have to be awful.

Make it a time to recharge instead.

Go Easy on Yourself

Nobody is perfectly patient all the time.

I certainly mess up sometimes.

But that’s okay—it’s part of learning.

If you get annoyed or lose your cool, don’t beat yourself up.

Instead, just remind yourself to try again next time.

Each day is a fresh chance to practice patience.

What I’ve Learned from My Street

Who knew that repaving my street could teach me so much about patience?

This experience helped me see waiting as something valuable—not just an annoying delay.

By choosing patience, I feel calmer, happier, and less rushed.

The next time you’re stuck waiting, think about my story.

Remember, waiting can actually be good for you.

Take a deep breath, find something positive, and give patience a try.

You might be surprised how much better it makes your day.

I’m grateful my street is getting repaved, even if it means waiting.

Because patience isn’t just about delays—it’s about living a more peaceful life.