When Petty Isn’t So Petty: Finding Strength in Everyday Struggles

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a post about how I stay grounded during stressful situations. I didn’t think much of it at the time—it was just me being honest, hoping maybe it would resonate with someone else. But not long after, a comment came through on one of the platforms I post on that completely caught me off guard. It surprised me with how much it stirred something deep inside me.

Now, I fully understand that when you put your thoughts out into the world—especially online—you’re opening yourself up to feedback, differing opinions, and sometimes even unkindness. It comes with the territory. But this comment wasn’t just disagreement—it felt dismissive and minimizing. And honestly, it triggered me.

Here’s what he said:

“It should be pretty easy to keep your sanity through those petty examples compared to people facing real life battles every day like cancer, migraines, anxiety, PTSD, etc… I think if most people realized how good they actually have it, their inbox problems of life would be a breeze. Just my 2 cents…”

What hit me hardest was the use of the word “petty.” That one word felt like a slap. As if someone was telling me to sit down and shut up because my experiences didn’t measure up. It felt like my thoughts, my challenges, and even my healing were being labeled as insignificant—like they didn’t count in the grand scheme of “real” problems. And the kicker? This person doesn’t know a single thing about me or what I’ve been through.

In that moment, I felt angry. Not just for myself, but for anyone who’s ever been made to feel small because their pain didn’t look like someone else’s. I had to pause. Breathe. Regroup. I had to do exactly what I had written about—practice what I preach. After a few deep breaths and a moment of reflection, I wrote back:

“… you are absolutely right about the petty examples but these tips are also how I stay grounded and maintain some sense of peace when presented with the diagnosis of heart disease and an aortic aneurysm. It’s how I stand strong when dealing with a family member who has Alzheimer’s. It’s what helped me breathe through the loss of family and friends to cancer, addiction, and heart failure. We will all have to face difficult times in our lives and practicing techniques to help us stay calm and peaceful during these difficult times is only developed when we practice it on the petty things.”

It’s tough sometimes. I do my best to show up authentically and share pieces of my journey, hoping it connects with others. But occasionally, people say things that sting—and it reminds me how important it is to stay rooted in my truth. Not everyone will understand, and that’s okay. Still, moments like this remind me how powerful our words can be.

And yeah… sometimes, people just dishearten me.