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Nobody likes unfinished things and that's why we can't stop thinking about the election - My 2 Cents

Our brains are wired to complete tasks and with an unfinished election hanging over our heads, Maddie Gardner explains why you are thinking about it so much.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — It’s time for ‘My 2 Cents.’

Nobody likes unfinished things. Think about it, uncooked chicken is not safe to eat, a half-watched movie is pointless, an unfrosted cupcake is just a muffin.

What I’m trying to say is only planes should be up in the air and it’s frustrating when things, no matter how small, are not finished.

Our brains like when tasks are completed. So much so, that when something isn’t resolved we tend to think about it more than when something is finished. It’s called the Zeigarnik Effect.

That’s where we are as a country. The election isn’t done. It’s unfinished and unsatisfying and really frustrating. And because of that we can’t stop thinking about it.

We are wired to want everything complete and that’s fine when we have control over something but in this case we don’t.

So what’s the answer? Finish what you can, cook your chicken, watch the whole movie, frost your cupcakes and be patient.

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