This Hilarious Video Takes on Everything Awful About Open-Office Floor Plans Dan Zevin's painfully funny 'Very Modern Mantras' will help you find peace where chaos and sneezing co-workers reign.

By Dan Bova

Do other people's fabulous vacation Instagram posts kind of make you hope their house catches fire while they're away? Have you ever melted down at a Starbucks because you wanted one pump of vanilla goo in your coffee and they gave you two? Do you feel like maybe, just maybe, you're losing your freaking mind?

Relax. Breath. It's going to be okay. Dan Zevin is here to help you.

In his new book and video series, Very Modern Mantras: Daily Affirmations for Daily Aggravations, the very funny author has created a guide for navigating the multitude of frustrations we all face — everything from cracked phone screens to impossibly soggy paper straws to co-workers who insist on replying all to every single email.

In the above video, Zevin helps us find peace with one of the worst afflictions that mankind has ever faced: the open-office floor plan. Watch, learn and — next time you're at your desk and your co-worker is rocking a nose whistle — repeat this phrase until your head no longer feels like it is going to explode: "I am an open flower who blossoms in an open floor plan."

Check out all of the videos from the hilarious series here, and follow @ModernMantras on Instagram for more mindful meditations. You're going to need them.

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

Tee Time With Investors? This Golf Trainer is a Must.

Sharpen your swing and your first impression before you hit the course.

Starting a Business

This 'Dream' Side Hustle Out-Earned Her Corporate Salary in 2 Years — Now It's a $2 Million Business

Here's the exact blueprint she used to leave her W2 job behind and step fully into entrepreneurship.

Business News

Deloitte Is Reimbursing Employees Up to $1,000 — For Buying Lego Sets

Each Deloitte employee can spend up to $1,000 on items to improve their well-being.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growing a Business

He Was Scared to Give His Business Partners Bad News. Then He Realized a Gamechanging Truth.

Lynwood Bibbens has learned to lean on business partners and suppliers, rather than trying to put on a brave face.

Leadership

'Business Is the Ultimate Competitive Sport': Mark Cuban and Dallas Cowboys Star Micah Parsons Break What True Success Feels Like

Business icon Mark Cuban and Dallas Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons discuss what it means to make a lasting impact in business and in life on the latest episode of "The Playbook."