What do you perceive is harder? Being a Player or a GM?

[KorvinStarmast]

That makes it even more frustrating if my turn in combat comes up and whatever thing I wanted to do doesn't have any effect -- great, time to wait for the spellcasters to shuffle through their cards yet again, call me in 30 minutes.

Not all tables are that slow. Talk to your fellow players about that: they need to be ready to act on their turn, not all of a sudden realize that they are in the spotlight.

even if you're actively listening or helping throw focus to another player, you will inevitably feel disconnected from the session at some point or another.)

Maybe you will, but not everyone shares that experience. Paying attention to the other players is a part of the group activity.

It's also courteous.