Hello friend, a good reflection, but as you say we must experience it to know what we expose ourselves to, if it is a waste of time or an opportunity, although it may be that nothing is a waste of time unless we are not doing what we really want, everything leaves us a lesson, it is better to see it that way. Greetings!
Continuing and repeating something even after realizing it is a distraction is futile. But it will only come when it has been experienced at least once.