Lack of Patience
I have heard multiple people say that they don’t have the patience right now for books. Reading requires focus, and focus is in short supply. So they’re okay with certain types of books or they’re forgoing books for a little bit to watch television, but dense books are a no-go.
I’ve found that I’m the exact opposite.
I cannot stream anything right now. People keep sending me links for Hamilton sing alongs or Indigo Girl concerts or web series. And I cannot get more than 30 seconds in before my skin starts crawling. I have no clue what is causing this reaction, but I can barely hold it together with something highly edited such as a Broadchurch episode. I cannot watch comedians chatting in feel-good videos online.
This is a new thing.
Once upon a time, I would have been jumping from online event to online event. But now, I cannot watch performers performing unless it is in something structured… like a television show or movie or staged play a la National Theater Live. And even then, it is hit-or-miss. Some days I can get through a whole episode. Other days, I start wishing for the end of the show when we’re five minutes in.
The only thing I consistently have patience for right now are books. Books are silent. Books do not ask me to process things quickly. I can handle a book’s pace. They’re not trying to entertain me or make me forget about the world or come together as a community. If online streaming is like a puppy, books are a cat. They are quiet. They are okay if I come and go. They don’t try to get my attention. They just… are.
I need things that just are right now.
8 comments
I’ve been spending a lot of time coloring, which I haven’t done in years.
I am somewhere in between. I am watching screen but only familiar, very little new with references to now. I am reading but very slowly. I am leaning heavily on my sketchbooks and art groups.
This is so interesting! I’ve had trouble with books lately as well because of the concentration issue (admittedly this isn’t really a new problem, it’s just worse than usual). TV has been… ok. If I find a series that I can get into it’s been great, but that has been a struggle. Video games however, have been a fantastic anesthetic for me. I think I might find coloring restorative too. Hm.
I am still reading in my free time these days, but I am finding that what I am willing/able to read is a little different than usual. I normally read a non-fiction book at least once a month, and I find myself having difficulty getting through a few that I’ve started, so I’ve put them aside for the moment.
BTW, I got The Book of Delights by Ross Gay, and it is giving me life. Seriously. I am loving it.
I have gone the opposite. All the shows I heard people bingeing about, now I’m starting to watch some of them. I hardly read. Not sure why.
I can’t focus on anything very long. Even the mindless shows I watch while exercising I find myself irritated by. I don’t know what I’m doing with my evenings after the kids go to bed since I can’t get into any shows and I’m reading far less than usual. I think it might be watching The Office reruns. They are comforting to me.
I’m glad you’re reading. I’ve been struggling with it. I also haven’t been binge-watching. And I said to my husband last night, there are so many streaming events and opportunities to visit museums, etc, but there are so many I don’t know where to start. Except for my daily livestream safaris, which are very comforting, even when they can’t find any animals. There’s not much thinking that needs to be done, I could even read and watch it (but I’m not), and it takes me to a completely different space. Where I just AM.
I will admit I’ve been having trouble reading… books, anyway. I’m on my laptop & phone all the time. (eyeroll) I’ve never been much for streaming anyway, but I agree with Mali, there’s just so much special programming out there right now — all the mini-concerts & tours on Facebook & Instagram, etc. — it’s mind boggling. I’ve watched a few things, but had to pass on lots more. There’s only so much the mind can absorb at once, I think…!