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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are you an irritable person?

46 replies

Britishsummertime22 · 05/03/2025 19:15

I feel like I am such an irritable person. There are so many things that annoy me on a daily basis. I don't particularly want to be like this. I find most other people selfish, rude, noisy etc

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SprinkleOfSunak · 06/03/2025 02:36

I’m the same op.

There are shocking bad manners all around, and everyone seems so selfish, even if not in an obvious way then they’ll be very self invested/absorbed. And as for adult bullies, they can just fuck off!

Mach3 · 06/03/2025 00:58

I know quite a few middle aged surgeons, bejeysus I know theee clinical directors (all men).

They're not pissed off.

They fucking love it.

Mach3 · 06/03/2025 00:52

Icepinkeskimo · 06/03/2025 00:38

This is exactly how I feel sometimes.
I can feel the red rage rising in me, and more so in the last few years.
I work as a lead consultant, and there are many times (pre op), I need to get my brain absolutely focused on what’s ahead. I don’t want to be asked or told what’s on the menu in the canteen. Apparently I have this “look” when I’m irritated, and it shows because it soon shuts them up.
It could be that I’m carrying a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, or I’m getting older and a grouchy, intolerant cow.

Ok.

But why?

Is it because you've been expected to take on more responsibility than your male cohorts?

I get that.

Icepinkeskimo · 06/03/2025 00:38

OverthinkingOlive · 05/03/2025 20:37

Yes and I also absolutely fucking hate small talk

This is exactly how I feel sometimes.
I can feel the red rage rising in me, and more so in the last few years.
I work as a lead consultant, and there are many times (pre op), I need to get my brain absolutely focused on what’s ahead. I don’t want to be asked or told what’s on the menu in the canteen. Apparently I have this “look” when I’m irritated, and it shows because it soon shuts them up.
It could be that I’m carrying a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, or I’m getting older and a grouchy, intolerant cow.

Mach3 · 06/03/2025 00:23

No. I'm not.

Nothing irritates me. I'm very calm.

That doesn't mean I don't say no, or that's not ok, or don't advocate.

I'm very good at saying that's not ok.

But I don't react. As in, I'm not reactive.

No, nothing annoys me really. I don't think being irritated or annoyed with people is anything other than a reaction to your own feelings.

I don't think I've ever shouted at anyone, that's letting circumstances or someone control your feelings.

I've told people to fuck off, but it's always a gentle fuck off rather than a shouted fuck off.

It's always a 'Just fuck off' with a smile/laugh.

Just fuck off.

Halloumiheaven · 06/03/2025 00:16

Just want to say all the refreshing honesty on this thread Is very commendable.

Halloumiheaven · 06/03/2025 00:09

I hear you

I can get very intolerant pre menstrually. I used to get quite significant PMT when I was very young. Then it went away and now I feel the return now I'm perimenopausal. I know exactly where I am in my cycle by how I feel.

I'm actually quite a kind, caring person. But I'll be truthful seeing as I'm anonymous: my marriage can be lonely (husband ASD) and some of my needs go unmet, and I think when you're long term with someone with ASD , because you do most of the accommodating you can almost end up mirroring their behaviour in public because it becomes what you know.

So if there are lots of people talking and having an animated conversation, I can become internally irritated and feel resentful towards them. But I used to love an animated conversation! I think some of my husbands traits have rubbed off on me. So it's similar to what someone said up thread : its probably very likely a 'me' problem, not the others who I'm getting internally angry with 😅

If I feel I've been irritable or judging people harshly I try to give myself a bit of a nip and remember my values. (It doesn't help that DH is very factual and negative about people in general and that can rub off too) - he does have redeeming features I promise!

DullardFrigate · 05/03/2025 23:57

Oblomov25 · 05/03/2025 22:07

How are you all NOT?
Don't you get irritated by all the incompetence, unprofessionalism, negligence of others?

Last week I was faced with huge incompetence and I was irritated but it's not frequent. I'm quite clear with people these days which is how I face incompetence and unprofessionalism.
I just assume half of the people I come across will be bad at what they do so I'm pleasantly surprised when people are professional and polite or other drivers are polite and give me way or thank me.

Feelinadequate23 · 05/03/2025 22:12

I find I am when I’m overwhelmed by things. At first it was my job, I worked long hours in a high stress environment so I turned that stress outwards to everyone else. I almost saw it as other people’s role to make my life smoother, given the turmoil I had to deal with at work. Obviously unreasonable of me, I know!

I eventually quit the job and was like a new woman… until I had young kids, now it’s hit me a bit again as I’m constantly overwhelmed by the kids, but at least I’m a bit more aware this time round…

Oblomov25 · 05/03/2025 22:07

How are you all NOT?
Don't you get irritated by all the incompetence, unprofessionalism, negligence of others?

DullardFrigate · 05/03/2025 22:04

We live in an angrier world

Evaka · 05/03/2025 22:02

Yeah, I have a lot of anger and a busy brain. I hide it pretty well, and would be known as positive and personable. It's all up in my head. I routinely think I'm surrounded by idiots (yes I've read the book and know I'm actually the idiot).

DramaAlpaca · 05/03/2025 21:56

Only when I'm hungry.

thisfilmisboring123 · 05/03/2025 21:39

Yes!
I was talking about this the other day and thinking about when it started. I feel like this is a relatively new thing for me but it’s definitely getting worse.

I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m an impatient arsehole and I just really hate people.

Pickingmyselfup · 05/03/2025 21:34

Yes! Pretty much most of the time for various unimportant reasons. Always have been for as long as I can remember.

DollydaydreamTheThird · 05/03/2025 21:33

JemimaFlubberCluck · 05/03/2025 19:19

Excellent advice, I’m going to try this because everything seems to annoy the hell out of me these days! 😂

I'm going to try it too. At the moment I feel like the whole world can fuck right off. 😂

Bloom15 · 05/03/2025 21:30

No not really - I am very laidback and can't really be arsed to be honest

SafariTERF · 05/03/2025 21:29

Fuck yes. I'd probably be happier if I weren't.

Otoh, perhaps if I were happier in general I'd be less irritable...

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 05/03/2025 21:17

Yes. More so as I've hit mid 40s.

OverthinkingOlive · 05/03/2025 20:37

Yes and I also absolutely fucking hate small talk

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 05/03/2025 20:30

I definitely am and I also over analyse everything

AFairDistance · 05/03/2025 20:30

No, not really. If I’m massively irritated by someone I know it’s something to do with me, rather than them.

DullardFrigate · 05/03/2025 20:26

No I'm not but dh is and it's so annoying.
I like "Let them" but dh would be "why the fuck should I?, they're the idiots"

I just focus on myself and my family. Anyone else can do whatever they like unless it impacts directly on my family.

Coco1oco · 05/03/2025 20:23

babasaclover · 05/03/2025 19:42

Yes sadly. It started around the age of 30 I think. If I have to be out of the house for too long and encounter too many people then it's just awful.

Today on school run pulled into a road, non lorry coming so obviously I pull in and wait for them to load. Guy behind me pulls in and immediately goes round me whilst I'm still pulling in. The bin lorry is coming downhill towards us no way he didn't see it. He continues to force his way forward in his ford kuga whilst the bin men just laugh at him. Fucking hate people - don't want to be annoyed but how can you not

I agree definitely starts around 30. Here was me thinking I was getting old before my time Grin

changedusernameforthis1 · 05/03/2025 20:18

No, I wouldn't say I am.

I get irritable when people are deliberately rude or just being argumentative for the sake of it though.
I'm known for my cheery "YOU'RE WELCOME!" If someone doesn't even acknowledge me for say, holding the door for them.

But I'm mostly pretty laid back. Maybe it's me. Maybe it's the antidepressants. Might never find out.

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