Feel frustrated and then rise above

My problems don’t involve a lack of a home, food, water, or healthcare, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing for Santa or the Easter Bunny. Average life makes this growing-up stuff more complex than my parents admitted or modeled.

It’s called frustration.

Webster defines it as a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs. Yep – that’s my week.

The heater went belly up with the mercury chilling at 20 degrees outside Saturday morning. I reached out to call a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) clinician, and my phone didn’t respond to up, down, or across swipes, and it wouldn’t restart or force shutdown.

I texted the HVAC technician, using my computer, and thankfully he showed up within an hour and gave me the bad news— the broken part would take a week. He told me to get space heaters (which he could loan) and put one in the crawlspace and the bathrooms. He said to leave the fireplace running, open all under-sink doors, and make all faucets drip.

Using my handy Apple Watch, I spoke with three different Apple technicians to troubleshoot my phone issues. No luck. They deleted everything on my phone and scheduled a Sunday appointment at the Apple store in Boulder.

As I write this, I’m still running space heaters with the promise if they fall over, they will shut off. I found heavy quilts; Apple replaced my phone and restored my data with Cloud Storage. Yippee. I am safe and warm and can swipe and use my phone again.

I was the most frustrated because of my dependence on the iPhone and the HVAC tech. I would have had many more challenges if I had not purchased an Apple Watch for fall detection alarms.

Everyone, unless in an unconscious state, experiences frustration daily. This week, mine was no heat and fear of frozen pipes, plus the loss of my primary connection to my family and information.

Today, I will likely experience frustration from Lucy, the weather, and TV shows canceled for basketball finals. Frustration is routine and preferred over any trauma.

News about tornados, war, and people without homes help me escape the pity party. I told Lucy, “I am lucky to have a fixable heater, a phone under warranty, and a sweet baby like you to keep me busy and laughing.” She cocked her head and stared.

For our mental health—feel the frustration and give your best to fix the problem. It’s okay to cry, scream (at yourself), and kick a post but feel frustrated and then rise above.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.