The blockchain just got a bit congested earlier. I was watching my transaction queue up in the mempool, feeling like tossing a paper boat into a sewer: I can see it’s still there, but I have no idea when it’ll reach the outlet… If I set the gas too low, it just gets stuck; if I set it too high, I feel bad about the cost, and in the end, it might get “cut in line” by someone else’s bundled transaction, causing a slippage that instantly shifts my mood.

Honestly, during congestion, you’re not competing with the smart contract; you’re fighting against the emotions and priorities of a bunch of people trying to get ahead. No wonder when some blockchain game economies collapse, with inflation, studios, and token prices spiraling together, everyone rushes to withdraw, turning the mempool into a chaotic stampede scene.

Next time, I might try small amounts first, avoid going all-in in one go, and prefer to take it slow rather than get stuck with orphaned transactions. When you face congestion, do you usually speed up, cancel, or just leave it and wait?