Embracing the humour in life's chaos

The Citizen

5 days ago

From exploding chip packets to traffic jams, life's small crises are made easier when we embrace humour in the chaos.
Life is full of small battles that test our patience, dignity and, sometimes, even our will to live – like trying to open a packet of chips without it exploding all over your lap.
Some people call these minor inconveniences, but let's be honest: they feel like full-blown crises in the moment.
There's a universal rule in life: no matter how early you leave, traffic will still find you. It's like a jealous ex – you think you've escaped it, but suddenly it's right behind you, flashing its hazards and refusing to let go.
You tell yourself to stay calm but five minutes into a standstill, you start over-analysing everything.
Why is that taxi skipping the queue?
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Why is this bakkie in the fast lane? Meanwhile, the car next to you is pretending to be on a very important call, but you know they're just talking to themselves for entertainment.
We've all been there – stuck in a painfully awkward conversation with someone you barely know, desperately searching for a way out.
Person: 'So, how's work?'
You: 'Oh, you know … busy.'
Person: 'Yeah, same.'
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Awkward silence as you both suddenly find the ceiling very interesting.
At this point, your only options are: make a weird joke that noone understands, or pretend your cellphone is ringing and make an emergency escape.
There are few things in life as humbling as assembling furniture. 'You start with enthusiasm, armed with an Allen key and misplaced confidence, only to realise two hours later that you've somehow built a bookshelf that looks like abstract art. The instructions don't help either.
'Attach panel A to slot B.' Cool, except slot B does not exist and panel A is missing.
By the time you're done, there are three extra screws lying around, staring at you judgmentally.
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You pick the shortest queue at the store, feeling smug about your decision – until you realise the person ahead of you is paying with coins and has exactly one million items in the trolley.
At this point, you consider abandoning your trolley and living off whatever is left in your fridge, but it is day three of surviving on mustard and half a tomato.
At the end of the day, life is full of these small struggles that make us laugh, cry, and question everything.
But if you can find humour in the madness, then maybe – just maybe – you're winning.