How can I not let little things bother me?

How to not let little things bother you? 

A lot of times when little things are bothering us there is really more to it. There is an overarching point that this one thing is hitting us on. First, it is acknowledging what is bothering us and what is that connected to. Are there patterns that you are seeing, where you notice these types of situations really frustrate you? Is there a common theme? Start putting words to that theme, and identifying thoughts and feelings that have been associated with it. I like to also note that sometimes we don't know, we are not aware-so it does take some time. Potentially sitting with oneself and reflecting on it or getting support from others within your existing support system or developing new supports.  

Now, how to not let it bother you requires some understanding of how you are conceptualizing it, what are those general themes (i.e. if there are feelings of worry, control, being overwhelmed, etc). Those themes can help at least start you in a direction of finding tools that can help you manage. I like to say fill up your tool kit because you never know what tool can be helpful in a particular situation. For example: trying to take out a screw out of the wall- some might initially go in with a screwdriver but say it you get there and the screw is stripped, your screwdriver is not working, you might have to switch to a flathead so it can pick on the end corners, or use of a wrench to turn the entire screw. If you have multiple options you have the ability to work through problems as they arrive effectively.   

Looking at the above themes I mentioned (there are many more), tools that help you to manage those feelings can look like the following: identifying what's in and out of your control can help you to put things into perspective and what you are responsible for, when overwhelmed doing things that help you to calm your system- deep breathing activities, sensory tactics, journaling- expressing yourself, feeling worried- practicing finding evidence that contradicts the worry, increasing support.

All in all, when little things are bothering you it can be linked to other overarching themes that would be beneficial to bring attention to and find ways to address them.