The Secret Luxury of 'Petty' Problems—The Art of Caring Less
Downsize the drama & rediscover your lost childhood
I was out for my usual walk when I spotted a group of pre-teens, huddled together, visibly stressed.
One kid started talking, then another, and pretty soon, they’d all ditched their bikes and were huddling in a circle. Voices rising.
It was hard not to notice their intense little gathering.
Curious, I took my AirPods out, sat down on a grassy patch nearby, and started watching.
What on earth could have these kids so worked up during what was clearly their playtime?
They knew each other well, they were inside their safe, familiar community. What could possibly be the problem?
Then I saw it.
They surrounded the security guard, bombarding him with questions. He looked like he’d been cornered by a pack of tiny reporters on a mission to uncover a huge scoop.
And then I caught it—the big question at hand: “When is the pool going to open?”
The guard shrugged and said, “We don’t have permission yet.”
And there it was.
For the kids, this was a national crisis!
“What kind of permission do you need?”
“Who’s supposed to give it?”
“Why does it even need permission?”
Their little minds raced with a thousand questions. A few even suggested bringing in their parents—maybe they could give the mysterious permission.
I chuckled to myself, thinking, Wow. Look at them. Their biggest worry that day?
When the pool would open???
A simple pool, in the safety of their own backyard, that they couldn’t access that day. No bills, no job stress, no relationship drama, no complex family obligations. Just a pool.
I felt this quiet awe wash over me. What a beautiful place to be. Where your biggest worry is a closed pool. For those kids, this wasn’t petty; it was real, serious stuff.
And suddenly, I realized—that’s the place we’re all chasing, isn’t it?
A life where worries are light, almost comical to someone else. Where a “problem” is just deciding what to wear to an event, what to gift a friend, or which vacation to take.
Problems that, to anyone else, look so small they’re practically a joke.
But here’s the thing: for those living in it, those “petty” problems are real. In their world, they’re worth caring about.
And that’s the dream, isn’t it? To get to a place where we only have these “small” problems, where someone else might overhear us and think, How is that even a problem?
But for us, it is. It’s real, it’s simple, and it’s all we have to worry about.
How to Get Back to “Petty” Worries
Now, I get it. We can’t all just decide to ignore our bills or work deadlines. Life will never be 100% stress-free, and adult responsibilities don’t just vanish.
But there’s a lot we can do to live with less burden and cultivate that sense of lightness. Here’s how:
1. Reclaim Small Joys
Remember when a small thing—a scoop of ice cream, a new toy, or just staying up past bedtime—could make your day? Try to bring some of that energy back.
Instead of being “efficient” all the time, take a few minutes to let yourself enjoy something tiny and special each day. Pick up a new flavor of coffee (I just tried Davidoff), take the long scenic route, or wear that slightly outrageous shirt just because.
The point is to fill your day with little moments that you genuinely look forward to.
2. Reflect on Childhood or a Time When Life Was Simpler
Think back to a time when you didn’t have big worries. Childhood is an easy place to go back to, but maybe for you, it was a period in college or a certain carefree summer. Remember what you used to worry about then.
Maybe it was what games to play after school, who to invite to your birthday, or how you’d get away with wearing pajamas under your school uniform.
Take a moment to close your eyes and really feel what that time was like. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s a reminder that you’ve been in a lighter place before and can get back there.
3. Make Space for the Small Stuff
When our minds are constantly occupied by huge, life-altering questions, there’s no room for small, light-hearted concerns. So try setting boundaries around your bigger worries.
Dedicate time to deal with your finances, your work pressures, or any “big rock” problems, but don’t let them spill over into every minute of your life.
Set aside parts of your day or week to just focus on fun decisions.
It sounds strange, but let yourself worry over “petty” things like what show to binge next, which park to visit over the weekend, or whether to try that quirky new café.
Let yourself feel the luxury of spending mental energy on these little things.
4. Practice Detachment
One of the most freeing things I’ve learned is this: not everything deserves an emotional response.
Just like the pool “crisis” with the kids, it’s okay to step back from things you can’t control and let them be.
Sometimes our big worries stick around not because we need to solve them right away but because we’re letting them control our emotions.
Look at the big stuff with a little distance. Think, If I were looking at this from afar, would it still feel as huge as it does right now?
Detachment doesn’t mean you don’t care; it just means you’re giving yourself space to breathe.
5. Celebrate “Petty” Problems
When your problems seem petty, celebrate it. Don’t brush it off. Remember: these “small” concerns are only possible because you’ve worked hard on the bigger stuff already.
If your biggest worry is what to wear to a party or how to style your hair, that’s a win. You’re free of life’s heavy chains, even if only for a little while.
Acknowledge it out loud. Tell a friend about your “trivial” worry and relish in it together. Laugh at it, let it make you smile, but don’t take it for granted.
Building a Life Around Small Worries
This kind of life is something we can all work towards. It’s not about ignoring responsibilities; it’s about building a foundation so solid that we get the luxury of focusing on life’s lighter aspects.
This takes time and small steps, but it’s worth it. Here’s a trick: every time you feel a big worry taking over, try replacing it with a small one instead.
Got a work deadline?
Sure, tackle it, but once it’s handled, think about something smaller—maybe what to watch afterward to reward yourself.
Stressed about bills?
Set a time to handle them, but then shift your focus to the fun stuff. Pick out a new dish to cook or finally start that book you’ve been meaning to read. Let the small worries fill up the space.
Worried about where your career is going?
It’s a valid concern, but balance it out with a simpler one. How about planning a weekend with friends or going to see a new place in your city?
The True Luxury: When Petty Problems Are All You’ve Got
Ultimately, the dream isn’t just financial security or freedom from obligations. It’s a life where, when people overhear our worries, they shake their heads with a little amusement and say,
“That’s all you’re worried about?”
And for us, that’s the truth. Because in that world, a closed pool or a late night craving is our world.
It’s real, it matters, and it’s enough.
“Sometimes the questions are complicated, and the answers are simple.” -Dr. Seuss
A Blueprint for Luxury in Small Problems
P: Perspective on Problems – Value even the smallest “problems” as real, because they are.
E: Enjoy Life’s Simple Worries – Savor the days where your biggest concern is whether the pool is open.
T: Take Time to Reflect – Remember that even small things can be special. Let yourself linger over them.
T: Trust in Life’s Little Joys – Take pleasure in the light-hearted choices, and let them make you feel free.
Y: Yearn for Simplicity – Realize that the ultimate luxury is a life with minor worries and the peace of knowing they’re all that matter.
So go ahead. Dream of a life where your problems are small, and your heart is light.
One day, I want someone to overhear my “problems” and think, That’s all you’re worried about?
And I’ll just smile. Because that, my friends, is the dream.
Thank you so much for reading! If this post resonated with you, go ahead and like it—or leave a comment if you're feeling inspired!
Now, I’d love to hear from you:
What’s a “petty” worry you remember having as a kid that feels almost funny looking back on? Or, what's a small, simple “worry” you’d love to have now?
Reply back with your thoughts, and let’s see what we all come up with. ✨
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I'm Sonali, and I speak for a living. From one of the quietest kids in class, I've found my voice as a Speaker, Author, and Coach.
I've reached over 100,000 viewers on Josh Talks and spoken at various business events and universities. I've also co-authored two books. I'm currently working on my first solo book about overcoming insecurities.
As a LinkedIn Top Voice in Public Speaking, I'm here to help you level up your presentation skills—sign up for my waiting list through this link.
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