Editor’s Note: Every Tuesday, James Parker tackles a reader’s existential worry. He wants to hear about what’s ailing, torturing, or nagging you. Submit your lifelong or in-the-moment problems to dearjames@theatlantic.com.

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Dear James,

I find myself growing irritable at one thing in my life, and one thing alone.

I work with an older woman who repeats herself constantly. She has the same three jokes and says them daily, and expects us all to laugh and/or respond as if we haven’t heard them before. I notice my younger colleagues nodding and smiling.