The Hidden Tax—of Tolerations
"Do not overlook the little things, for the day you cease to attend to them is the day they start to grow and compound." – John C. Maxwell
We all have things in our lives that we “tolerate”—a cluttered office, squeaky door, persistent ache, overflowing inbox, or avoided conversation. They’re the small, nagging annoyances we “put up with” because they seem trivial in the grand scheme of things. Yet these tolerations come at a cost. Cumulatively, they quietly drain our energy, steal our focus, and add to the overall stress we carry.
Recently, I bought new sneakers. Hardly a major life event—but it was something I’d delayed for months. My old workout shoes never fit well, yet I kept telling myself: they’ll break in eventually… I paid good money… it’s too late to return them. Day after day, I tolerated discomfort until heel pain and numbness forced my hand. The sore heels were more than a physical problem—they became symbolic of all the little things I had been enduring but not addressing.
Research confirms what we feel intuitively: unresolved stressors—clutter, inefficiency, and unspoken conflict—take a cumulative toll. No matter how minor, they sap our attention and resilience. In healthcare, where the stakes are already high and schedules overflowing, tolerations amplify fatigue and reduce not only our ability to perform at our best but also our capacity to live fully outside of work.
Those sneakers weren’t my only toleration. Like many of you, I’ve let emails pile up, postponed tough conversations, and carried the weariness of loose ends unresolved. Yet as I began addressing some of these nagging drains—starting with those new shoes—I noticed an immediate sense of relief. I felt lighter, more in control, and more focused on what truly matters. Looking back, it’s stunning (and a bit embarrassing) how much energy I wasted holding onto the old ones.
The truth is, when we allow tolerations to pile up, we create an environment where stress thrives. For me, it started with sneakers. For you, it might be something else. By naming them and taking small, steady steps to address them, we free up energy for more meaningful pursuits. So what are you tolerating? Make a list and choose one to address every seven days. Invite your PeerRx partner to do the same, share your intentions, and celebrate each small victory together. Afterall, why pay unnecessary “hidden taxes” when relief is an action away.