Women Will Teach You Patience

For most of us men, rushing through life is second nature. We move with urgency, whether it is heading to work, running errands or preparing for a trip. I remember family holidays when, while my father and I were already in the car, dressed and ready to hit the road, my mother would just be stepping out of the shower. It used to frustrate him so much.

Women, in general, move at their own pace. They take their time, whether it’s getting dressed, preparing for an event or making decisions. And the truth is, there is not much we can do about it. We can huff and puff, raise our voices, tap our feet impatiently, or even issue ultimatums – none of it will make them move any faster. That’s just how they are and we, as men, need to accept it rather than fight it.

Instead of letting impatience get the best of us, we must develop the skill of patience. Because yes, it is a skill. It’s not something we are naturally good at, but something we must actively work on.

Let me share a story. I had just met this girl, and we had planned our first date. If I remember correctly, it was a movie date. I was excited, eager to make a great impression and looking forward to spending time with her. Guess what? She was late. At first, I waited patiently, but as the minutes dragged on frustration started bubbling up.

Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. By the thirty-minute mark, I was furious. The excitement I had felt earlier had vanished, replaced by irritation. I drove away, thinking, “This is ridiculous. Who makes someone wait this long?” But as I got farther from her place, something in me told me to turn around. So, I did. I picked her up, and we still went to the movies.

But I’ll be honest, I didn’t enjoy it at all. My blood was boiling, and I spent the whole movie annoyed rather than in the moment. And guess what? This pattern continued. She was always late. It wasn’t just her; it is a common thing with women in general. That’s just how they are wired.

So, why am I writing this? Because I want to educate my fellow men. You may have found yourself in this situation before. Or, if you haven’t yet, trust that the day will come and you’ll be prepared. When you know better, you manage better. Here’s a simple trick: if you need to pick her up at 11h00, tell her you’ll be there at 10h15. This way, she gets 45 extra minutes and you avoid unnecessary frustration. And most importantly, stick to your schedule and start driving at 11, no matter what. It saves you stress, keeps you in control of the situation and helps you handle the inevitable reality of waiting for women.

Once you have mastered the art of patience, you will find yourself applying it to all aspects of your life, including your personal and professional endeavours. As South African author Witness Mdaka wisely stated, being patient does not mean being inactive; rather, it means waiting in action.

True patience is not about sitting idly by, hoping things to fall into place. It is about taking consistent, purposeful steps toward your goals. If you are patiently waiting for a job opportunity, you should be actively submitting your CV, going to interviews, and refining your skills. Likewise, if you are waiting for a breakthrough in any area of your life, you must continue working diligently, learning and seizing opportunities.

Patience, when combined with action, transforms waiting into progress and persistence into success.

– Meneer_SK is an advocate for men’s grooming and all matters relating to men. Follow him on Instagram @Meneer_SK.

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