No matter where you reside in L.A. or how many yoga classes you take, you can always count on a bounty of anxiety-inducing situations to keep you high-strung throughout the day. (No doubt, about 99% of them are parking related.) It's part of the beauty of living in the big city—and maybe it even gives us character. While our paths may differ from day to day, there's one thing that unifies us all: The following 30 cringe-worthy happenings trigger our anxiety like no other.
Parking. Always. At this point, good parking karma doesn’t exist.
Running into your coworker at a Korean spa. Can’t wait for our awkward encounter at work tomorrow and every day after that.
Being forced to repeat back the affirmations at Café Gratitude. I don’t want to get emotional; I just want my vegan nachos.
Walking past the characters and CD hawkers on Hollywood Boulevard. Back off, Spiderman!
When your co-worker invites you to his improv show. It’s never a good idea.
Waking up and realizing you're already too late to avoid the brunch lines. There goes my whole Sunday.
Driving next to a bus. Driving behind a bus. Driving between two buses. Jesus, take the wheel.
Any time you have to drive west on a day with good beach weather. You and three million people have the same idea.
Photograph: Courtesy Aldric Rivat
Not being sure where you’ll end up in the Hollywood Bowl’s stacked parking lot. It’s the difference between 10 minutes and two hours.
When an earthquake jolts you awake. The Big One is coming.
Riding in the elevator up to Perch. Oh, so this is where Tower of Terror got the idea.
When a restaurant doesn't have vegan options. Are you even from L.A.!?
When you wonder if activated charcoal is going to turn your mouth black. Please explain.
The thought of going to Disneyland when its Star Wars land opens. Here come the hives.
When the post-midnight comedian at the Comedy Store is bombing but you can't leave without looking like an asshole. Maybe if I crawl, they won’t see me.
Trying to figure out whether or not you can ignore that red light camera ticket . To pay or not to pay $500.
Noticing that you're the oldest one around at Coachella—and you haven't even turned 30. Dancing in a sea of teenyboppers is my worst nightmare.
Photograph: Rozette Rago
When you're about to show up to an apartment viewing and 18 other people are there. Why are these randos in my house?
Being surrounded by beautiful supermodel humans at gyms in WeHo. Is this a gym or a casting call?
When you can see smoke in the distance but you don't know where it is. Casually turns on KNX 1070 for local news.
Getting to Disneyland in time for a Space Mountain Fastpass. You don’t enter D-land without a game plan, and if said game plan is foiled, it’s all over.
Exiting Dodger Stadium. Being packed like a sardine sounds luxurious in comparison.
Driving through the canyons when there's no guardrail. Don’t look down.
Running to make your Metrolink train because the next one isn't for four hours. I know this is new for us, but really? Four hours?
Photograph: Courtesy Andre Benz
When a dog sticks its head out the window during rush hour. You’re so cute, but I want you to live.
Driving all the way to Mr. Holmes without knowing if they still have Cruffins. This could either be an amazing or god-awful day.
When you just miss happy hour. Drinking away your sorrows will only cost you more money.
When your friend says they want to go to a club. Parking, waiting in line to get in, trying to put in your drink order (good luck), fending off creeps and best of all, praying your car isn’t towed by the time you leave. Did I miss anything?
Having to pick up or drop off a friend at LAX. It’s the single most anxiety-inducing favor in L.A.
Heading to Bestia at 5:30pm or 10pm because you can't get a reservation otherwise. Whatever it takes to get my handmade spaghetti.
When an unexpected flair streaks across the sky. Don't worry, it's probably just a missile test.