It’s Okay To Hit Pause.

Image Provided by PlayStation.

Let me start by saying that this can be considered part two of my last article.

If you remember, I talked about how it is okay to have a backlog. I also included tips to help reduce it.

On the flip side, this article will talk about how it is okay to pause, and why you shouldn’t feel guilty about it.

The worst kind of feeling is watching a movie, reading a book, or playing a game and not feeling entertained or happy. Especially if you spent money on whatever it is you have.

For example, I recently watched the film Thunderball starring Sean Connery. While I enjoyed the film, it took me two sittings to finish. Did I feel shame?

No.

There is no rule, law, contract, or even a magic curse that binds you or any other person to finish a flick in one sitting.

The only people who might give you flak would be the ones who gatekeep movies.

However, don’t give them the time. They already have too much if they’re berating you for not seeing the true beauty of Jack and Jill.

The same can be said for books and video games.

Let’s say you start reading a long book and after 15 chapters you decide to take a break. Alright. That’s fine. Take a break if you need to.

This isn’t a public school where you have to read the whole thing in one night and then be expected to do a pop quiz about what the protagonist ate for breakfast.

Although be warned that you might not remember all the details of what you have already read if you stay away long enough.

There have been a few times when I had to start all over because I took too long to get back to a book.

A similar problem occurs with gaming. You might forget how to play and use all the mechanics. Though I’m sure that muscle memory would help catch you up.

Right now I am playing The Witcher 3, but I decided to take a break because it is a long game and there are a few other things I want to do.

This is all from my choices, and not from someone else.

Just don’t feel like you’re under any pressure to finish quickly if what you’re doing is for fun. Trust me, it can drain all the enjoyment from entertainment.

It’s like deciding to clean your room but then someone tells you to do it. Now you might not want to. Who are they to take away your free will?

Is this me venting about the most minor of childhood experiences? Maybe.

Anyway, what I am saying is that you shouldn’t feel like enjoyment is a chore. At the same time, you shouldn’t let half-finished movies stay unfinished.

You’ll get into an endless loop of starting something, getting at least halfway done, and then starting all over again because you forgot everything that has happened before.

Just like DC and their movies.