Tiny UX Annoyances That Deserve a Rethink

We’ve all dealt with overly aggressive cookie banners, buttons that move as they load, or password rules that reject your perfectly good password. These annoyances are small, but they create unnecessary tension that builds over time. They may seem minor in isolation, but stacked together, they chip away at the user’s patience.

One of my biggest pet peeves is cookie banners that cover half the screen on mobile, with confusing wording and buttons that feel designed to trick you into clicking “accept.” Similarly, forms that hide password rules until after you've submitted your entry just create frustration and wasted effort.

What I’d do instead: Make confirmations feel human with warm but direct language. Keep important elements stable while loading so the user doesn’t mis-tap. Show password rules from the beginning and celebrate strong passwords with positive reinforcement. Thoughtful UX isn’t just about flows. It’s about removing everyday friction that doesn’t need to be there.

These small interactions are where care shows up—or doesn’t. Improving them doesn’t take massive redesigns, just empathy and attention to detail.