Sometimes, we wish reality was how we want it to be - carefree, happy, and maybe, luxuriant for some. To quote my favorite author Oscar Wilde - "After the first glass of Absinthe you see things as you wish they were. After the second you see them as they are not. Finally you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world."
Not that life ain't good, but we always have the Ideal life in mind, especially after a stressful or awful day, such as losing a deal at work or a fight with the spouse.
Perhaps we wish we weren't born in this part of the world, or have a different set of family members, or work in a different profession. Perhaps it could be something as simple as wishing for an "escape" from the current tough situation on hand.
We turn to Escapism - the avoidance of, or escape from reality / daily routine, by indulging in daydreaming or losing oneself in a entertainment or an imagined situation.
Some of us watch movies and let our minds be lost in the movie plot and characters, perhaps even indulging a little by imagining ourselves as the characters in the films.
Some of us read books and let our minds be absorped into the plot, imagining the scenes playing in our minds, forgetting about reality and the current pressing isuses on hand.
Others lose themselves in songs and dance, or activities such as sports, painting / drawing, photography, writing or baking / cooking etc.
We immerse ourselves in another world in our minds, and set the roles we want to be cast in. Reality or painful situations are tossed far away - in this fantasy world, they exist not.
This short blissful moment is not to be confused with being mentally unstable or alter egos, do take note. Sometimes, traumatic situations may drive one into states of instability, and one constantly goes around in a state of foggy-ness, often mixing up what is reality and what is not.
Or someone may have multiple alter egos / personas to them, that reside within them. These alters prevent the person from feeling the pain or remembering the traumatic experience that gave birth to the alters. They create and live in "worlds" deeply embedded in the patient's mind.
For Escapism, one is completely clear-headed and is able to differentiate between the fantasy world they got lost in briefly, and snap out of it when the movie / book / activity ends. They had their happy moments in their imagined realms, but eventually, escapism is short-lived.
Are you extremely stressed out or angry with life or company, a person, etc? Source for your preferred mode of entering into Escapism, and let your mind relax for a while.
No, losing one's sorrows in alcohol, drugs or binge-ing are not good forms of escapism. They detach us from reality too much, and may have dire consequences in their aftermaths. As Wentworth Miller said, "A good book provides escapism for me. The artistry and the creativity in a story are better than any drugs."
How about work, then? Some people work day and night, seemingly to invest themselves fully to their tasks on hand, or their company. Well, if it helps, then let these people do as they prefer. After all, many great works of art in the world today (and in the past) were created from the artists' fantasies.
Hence, when feeling bored or upset, escape a little. Go to your mental safe haven to recharge, and then return back to reality strong and ready to tackle whatever lies in wait.
I leave you with this quote by Lynda Barry herein, "We don't create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay." Good luck!
No part of this may be republished without the writer's permission. Copyright © Thearcticstar. All rights reserved.
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