The Relatable Struggle That is Life

David Foster Wallace is the Taylor Swift of literature. Both of them write about situations that just about everyone can relate to.

See? Relatable.

What I’m trying to say is that Wallace’s piece, “This is Water,” was definitely my favorite that we have read so far. For example,Wallace wrote, “It is extremely difficult to stay alert and attentive instead of getting hypnotized by the constant monologue in your head” (Wallace 234.) We are all guilty of zoning out in the middle of class, or totally forgetting that you had to walk the dog before your dad gets home (yup, just happened to me.) I think that it is so interesting that Wallace can write about something so obvious, so self-evident, and still get an overwhelming reaction from his audience.

On the other hand, I think that writing these kinds of pieces may have negatively impacted Wallace’s mental health. He definitely had a different way of thinking. He was a genius, but also analyzed everyday social situations a little too deeply. Of course, I think this piece is so compelling because he wrote about the common struggle (that isn't even really a struggle.) But now I also realize that it's dangerous to always be aware of your everyday obstacles. It seems like through Wallace’s words that living from day to day is a constant battle. When, sometimes, going to the supermarket isn’t THAT bad. Even if the line to the cashier is out through the door, at least I have food to eat. I’m not saying that we should roam through life like living zombies, but we should just take a deep breath, stop overthinking everything, and just live your life. Easier said than done, of course, but I’m pretty sure Taylor Swift would agree.