One way to reduce cognitive dissonance is to engage in self-affirmation. In what case of ...

People are more likely to use the indirect method in cases where it is more difficult to trivialize (i.e., when the dissonance involves serious attitude/behavior conflicts). (Obviously, what follows is idiosyncratic.) Were I to be impatient with someone, I'm most likely to remind myself that I am generally not an impatient person, and I know I get that way when I'm under stress. I resolve to address directly the things that are causing me stress, that I'm not naturally a stressed-out hurried personthis resolution helps a lot to reduce the dissonance.