When The Little Things Become Too Much

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Oh, Pet peeves; Those tiny things that somehow feel Huge, righ? I used to think pet peeve were just a small annoyances. Things you could ignore if you really care about someone. But then I learned that sometimes, those "little things" can build up until they become impossible to overlook. I once ended a friendship because of a pet peeve. It wasn't sudden ;it happened gradually. This friend of mine had a habit of interrupting me mid sentence constantly. At first, I laughed it off, thinking, Oh that's just how they are. But suddenly after a while, it started to feel like I wasn't being heard. Every time I tried to share something important, they could cut me off with their own story. I remember one day when I was opening up about a tough time I was going through, and right in the middle of my sentence, they jumped in with a completely unrelated topic. That was the moment I realized ;This isn't just annoying ;it makes me feel invisible

On the other hand, I've been on the receiving end too. A former co worker once told me (half joking, half serious) that they couldn't stand how I tapped my fingers on the desk while thinking. I had no idea I even did it. I tried to stop, but old habits die hard. Eventually, I noticed they started avoiding me, and our casual chats faded away. It stung a little, but I also understood, sometimes the smallest things can drive a wedge between people

*It's funny how tiny habits, things we barely notice about ourselves, can make or break relationships. Have you ever lost someone over a pet peeve like this scenario? Or had to walk away from a relationship because of one? *

There's this pet peeve about my college roommate I hated when I was in school then. I ended a friendship over a Pen click. Yap, you read that right? My college roommate Nelson, had this habit of clicking his pen constantly while studying. At first, it was background noise. But after weeks of click, CLICK-CLICK during late night cram sessions. I felt like I'll lose my mind. I tried dropping hints, joking about it, even buying him a silent pencil. Nothing worked. One day, after a fueled exam week, I snapped and said something harsh. We didn't argue, but the tension lingered.... And we drifted apart. Looking back, I regret not addressing it calmly. It wasn't about the pen, it was about communication(lack of it)

On the flip side, I've been the irritating one too. A close friend once ghosted me for months. When he finally opened up, he admitted my "texting style" drove him nuts. I'll send 10 rapid fire messages instead of one. To me, it was enthusiasm;to him, it felt overwhelming. It stung, but his honest made me reflect. Now I pause before spamming someone's inbox

Pet peeve are funny that way, they reveal how differently we're wired. Sometimes they are dealbreakers;other times, they teach us to adjust, laugh at ourselves, or just but a quieter pen. Have you ever had a "pen click" moment? Or been the accidental annoyance? Let's share experiences!!!