I’ve pretty sure this was already a thing with me

[moon_custafer]

...and that lockdown hasn’t worsened it, just brought it into sharper relief, but I really have trouble paying attention in live conversations, especially with family members who don’t have the advantage of novelty in grabbing and holding my interest. Like, Andrew and I will be sitting in the living room, and I try to not tune him out but next thing I know he’s giving me a disappointed look because I just did the exact same nodding, smiling, making the yes-I’m-listening noises in response to the sound of one of cats meowing or the heater turning on or off, and now he’s onto me. And I have no awareness of it, because I’ve been having a long imaginary conversation with other people which has probably also been looping because I found a turn of phrase I like.

What I’m saying, I guess, is that I either need better focus or a more-sophisticated autopilot.

Comments

[cuddyclothes]

That happens with me sometimes. Mostly with my spouse, though. If I'm sitting in front of my screen I don't pay attention, and he'll be talking away.

For more it's more of a problem to read real books. My eyes start fluttering shut after a short time.