What Bothers Me and Why

Daily writing prompt

What bothers you and why?

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Hello dear friends,
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood. Today’s writing prompt stirred a quiet current within me — “What bothers you and why?”

At first glance, the question seems simple. But as I sat quietly with it, I realized it touches something deeper than irritation or passing discomfort.

It reaches the core of the soul — where values connect with vulnerability, and personal struggles turn into shared truths.

Let me try to articulate it, not as a complaint, but as an invitation to reflect.

1. Superficiality in Human Connection

What bothers me most is the increasing superficiality in human interactions. In today’s digital world, we are more connected than ever — and yet more emotionally distant.

A “like” has replaced heartfelt conversations. A forwarded message has replaced personal greetings. The essence of true connection — a warm voice, a kind eye, a hand on your shoulder — seems to be evaporating.

It bothers me because we are emotional beings. We crave meaning and depth, not just scrolling and swiping.

Lesser-known fact: Studies show that digital overload triggers “empathy fatigue” — when we encounter so much content, our brains reduce emotional responsiveness, making us less likely to connect deeply, even in real life.

2. Injustice — Both Loud and Silent

Another thing that unsettles me deeply is injustice — especially the kind that goes unnoticed.

It’s easy to be outraged at big headlines, but there are smaller, everyday injustices that many quietly endure: a woman denied opportunity because of her gender, an elder ignored by family, a child robbed of education by poverty.

These invisible wounds bother me more because they speak of a world that still hasn’t learned kindness, empathy, or fairness.

I often ask myself — am I doing enough to stand against it? That question, too, bothers me.

Lesser-known fact: Psychologists suggest that witnessing injustice and doing nothing activates the brain’s stress circuitry — especially in people with high emotional intelligence. We literally carry silent injustice in our bodies as internal unrest.

3. Neglect of Our Inner Life

We live in an age of relentless noise — external and internal. The race for material success, validation, appearance, likes, and followers has taken priority over introspection, stillness, and inner joy.

We are quick to buy, quick to post, quick to react — but slow to pause, to reflect, to just be.

This bothers me because I’ve seen the cost of it — anxiety, loneliness, and spiritual fatigue.

Lesser-known fact: Neuroscientists say that when we neglect quiet reflection, the default mode network in the brain — which supports creativity, empathy, and self-awareness — weakens. Simply put, we lose our ability to truly know ourselves.

4. The Decline of Gratitude and Respect

Another thing that troubles my heart is how easily we forget gratitude. We take so much for granted — parents, teachers, farmers, sanitation workers, the food on our plates, the roof over our heads.

And respect? That too is diminishing — whether it’s in how we treat elders, women, or even differing opinions.

Lesser-known fact: Behavioral research shows that practicing daily gratitude actually rewires the brain’s amygdala — the center of fear and worry — reducing overall stress. So, when we forget to be thankful, we unknowingly invite more anxiety into our lives.

5. The Fear of Aging Without Purpose

As a senior citizen, I’d be lying if I said aging doesn’t bother me. But it’s not the wrinkles or the weaker knees. It’s the fear of becoming irrelevant. Of not being heard. Of being seen as someone whose “usefulness” has expired.

That’s why I write. That’s why I paint. That’s why I dance with joy when no one is watching.

Because I refuse to let age dim my spirit. And yet, society often tells older people to “step aside” — as if we’ve outlived our creativity.

Lesser-known fact: A Harvard study found that people who maintain a purpose-driven life after retirement experience 35% fewer memory problems and live longer with better cognitive clarity. Our passions protect us.

A Small Reframing

But perhaps what bothers us is also what calls us.

Maybe that discomfort is not meant to harden us, but to awaken us. What bothers me also motivates me — to write with more compassion, to speak with more honesty, to live with more mindfulness.

The things that shake our peace are often reminders of what truly matters.

Lesser-known fact: Neuroscientists now believe that emotional discomfort is often a sign of value misalignment — when our actions and our deeper beliefs are out of sync. Listening to what bothers us can realign us with our inner truth.

Final Submission

I believe being bothered is not a weakness — it’s a strength. It shows we still care. It means we’re still alive, still growing, still human. And that, in itself, is a blessing.

So, dear reader, may I ask you gently — what bothers you, and why?
Let’s reflect together.

With gratitude and warmth,
– Vijay Verma
www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Life, #Love, #mental health, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-2000, featured, relationships, writing