Routine thinking causes first-world problems.
These problems receive a considerable amount of scorn and condemnation with plausible reason. Instead of a quick and unfair judgment, we should delve deeper into the psychology of “first-world” problems. The issue is not necessarily the types of problems, but the mindset underlying them.
In an article titled, “Psychology of First World Problems,” Tania Luna, a psychology instructor and researcher at Hunter College, explores Western people’s reaction to unexpected weather.
While Luna only focuses on weather-related, first-world problems, she insists the same principles apply to just about any modern-day misery. According to Luna, the problems feel unbearable and overwhelming because our expectations are set so high.
Luna suggests readjusting expectations and letting yourself be surprised more often may help coping with these problems.
It’s not that Westerners have high expectations. It’s the simple fact that they don’t expect anything to happen out of the usual. People who have daily routines don’t think about life and how unpredictable it can be.
Routine thinking engenders first-world problems. Routine thinking allows people to discard any possible anomalies that lie outside of their daily lives.
Having a routine is a luxury. Consider the person who has to constantly figure out where his or her next meal is going to come from. Aside from the problem itself, this person more likely has better problem-solving skills, including adaptability and resourcefulness, than people from developed countries.
Routine thinking creates cognitive presets, equipping Western people with an extremely limited scope of reality. This is why such small deviations cause neurological breakdowns. Fortunately, there are ways you can improve your problem-coping skills.
Be able to provide self-justification. Most people tend to immediately overreact and respond irrationally to trivial problems. Stop for a moment and ask yourself why exactly you are upset or angry. This quick self-reflective assessment allows you to evaluate any given situation and respond appropriately.
Another possible remedy is new experiences. It’s difficult to break routine, but you don’t necessarily have to. Placing yourself in new experiences calls for new and sometimes creative responses. Engaging in “out of the norm” activities and pastimes keep the mind sharp and active.
As Luna recommends, let yourself be surprised more often. First-world problems are a matter of decentralizing customary thinking. Don’t embrace the common contradiction of expecting the unexpected, but certainly welcome the unexpected.
People do catastrophize inconveniences unworthy of such strong emotions, and it’s not healthy. Rather than insulting people, try to help them gain perspective and help them to cope with these problems effectively.
Eli Minor is 19-year-old philosophy junior from New Orleans. You can reach him on Twitter @eliminor_TDR.