Please tell me this is about being 10, rather than an individual character flaw, because my 9.75-year-old is exactly the same way. The only thing that motivates her to continue the arduous process of breathing in and out is the fact that her death would bestow all our attention on her bitter rival, Little Sister.
Have you SEEN a horse whisperer working? It is a most amazing demonstration. And obviously, he was very good at it, but equally clearly, it was much less work than my parents friends used to put in breaking horses.