I’ll admit it—I’m ridiculously impatient, and I absolutely hate it. Waiting for anything I want in life is a struggle, and the uncertainty of waiting is, honestly, the worst part. It feels like it physically takes over; I can feel it right in my throat and my stomach. It’s intense. Does this impatience make me a little crazy? Oh, for sure. But here’s the thing: I don’t give a shit.
Impatience, as much as it can drive me up the wall, has also been one of the reasons I’ve pushed myself to hit my goals sooner than I might have otherwise. Here’s a look at what I’ve learned from this double-edged trait.
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1. Impatience Forces Me to Take Action
When I want something, I’m not one to sit back and wait for it to come to me. If impatience does one thing well, it lights a fire. I’ve found that, rather than letting the discomfort of waiting paralyze me, I lean into it and work on what I can control. Being impatient has a way of keeping me active, engaged, and constantly striving for what’s next.
2. The Downside: Physical and Mental Stress
Impatience is definitely not without its drawbacks. When I’m forced to wait, it can feel like torture. The uncertainty creates this gnawing sensation that lives in my stomach and throat. It’s not just emotional; it’s a real, physical feeling that shows up every time I find myself in a holding pattern. Learning to breathe through that tension has become essential, even if I still struggle with it every time.
3. Fighting the Uncertainty Factor
What makes waiting so tough is not knowing what’s on the other side. My mind wants answers now, and when those answers aren’t available, I feel like I’m just waiting for the universe to catch up to my plans. The way I cope? Sometimes I can’t! But on good days, I focus on my next actionable steps, putting my energy where it matters most—on the things I can do, not on the “what ifs.”
4. Impatience as a Motivator
The flip side of this restless energy is that it drives me to hit my goals faster. Impatience doesn’t let me get too comfortable. While some people can sit on a dream and wait for the right time, impatience is what pushes me to get things done. As exhausting as it is, it’s also a driving force that keeps me moving forward, even when things get tough.
5. Embracing the Process, Bit by Bit
While impatience is hard to shake, I am learning (slowly!) to find small ways to make peace with it. Breathing, journaling, and even a little humor—sometimes I laugh at myself because I know I’m just wired this way—help me take the edge off when I’m waiting for something I want. And when I remind myself of everything I’ve already accomplished, I can see how impatience has actually been a powerful ally, propelling me to live the life I’m determined to build.
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So, here I am: impatient, intense, and maybe a little crazy. But it works for me. For anyone else struggling with that restless feeling of waiting, just know that it doesn’t have to hold you back. Let it push you, let it drive you, and maybe find ways to laugh at it along the way.
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Alejandra