Stop Compulsive Thoughts About Minor Aggravations?

I've been having trouble lately getting obsessed with pretty minor issues. Right now I have a 'thing' about where my neighbors park their 8-12 vehicles. It's affecting how I live my life. I don't want to move my car sometimes because I'm worried they'll take the parking spot in front of my house. I have a driveway, so there's another place to put my car. This would be a minor inconvenience.

Rationally I know that I need to stop thinking about this, but my mind keeps going back to it. How can I stop this? I don't even know what to call it.

Could you try talking to your neighbors? I have had compulsive thoughts, and I find that reminding yourself to think rationally really helps. I think meditation might help as well.

Everytime this thought comes to your mind you could try repeating to yourself a rational thought about the situation. Like "It will be a minor inconvenience". It can be hard but say that then let the thought go. You may need to do it a fair few times for it to sink in.

Mindfulness is also really helpful. Completely live in the moment. I find it easy to be mindful when cooking - I am involved in what I am doing and nothing else. It can be tricky to start with, but it gets easier with practice. Everytime your thoughts try to wander refocus on what you are doing and that alone.

Thank you! I will try repeating a rational thought. That makes a lot of sense. I read an article or a book a while ago that mentioned that trying *not* to think about something only made us think about it more. I think the context was food-related. I wish I could remember what they suggested to do instead, but I like the idea of substituting a thought instead of telling myself not to go there.

I've been trying to meditate more and will continue with that, but it hasn't kicked in yet

Smmath, I did talk to them and they stopped completely blocking my walkway (there are really high snow banks and I would have to climb over them to get in or out of my house). They seem like nice people, they just have too many cars and never shoveled out their driveway. I'm not the only one in the neighborhood annoyed - and probably not the only one obsessed with it.