Frustrated by a Book? Put it Down (For Now)
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“Don’t give up!”
“Persistence is key!”
“Patience is a virtue!”
“Stick with it!”
“Hang in there!”
It’s good, snappy advice to get through an unpleasant task or situation. It’s not practically helpful though, is it? Once, these words were likely spoken with genuine feeling and consideration.
Capitalism feasts ravenously on our honesty and empathy, then gaslights us by regurgitating these hollow expressions. Ability, safety, and willingness are gently shoved aside by an imperative to finish what you started.
[Note: This article is about reading books, and maybe consuming other forms of entertainment. For other situations, consider talking to someone or otherwise finding external help!]
Learning to live and work with my ADHD has taught me a lot about motivation and executive function. When someone (especially with ADHD) is passionate about a task, their brain supplies more energy for them to successfully complete it. When working on dull tasks, the lack of energy manifests in feelings of being stuck, lost, and frustrated.
Yet our society is obsessed with the idea that finishing a task has innate value; even suffering through purchased experiences just to “get your money’s worth”.
