Are You Participating In Escapism Or Avoidance?
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Are You Participating In Escapism Or Avoidance?

Is your favorite character stealing your life?

509
Are You Participating In Escapism Or Avoidance?
Suicide Squad Movie Official Site

Almost everyone participates in some form of escapism. Whether you are a Marvel Comics enthusiast who can’t get enough of the Avengers, a sports fan who can recite the stats for all the top players, or the ultimate Trekkie who’s seen every version of the show, including "Voyager" and "The Next Generation" (I may or may not be a Trekkie). Reading books, watching movies, and playing games are all forms of escapism. Huge events like Comic-Con are fueled by escapism.

Fans from all around the world gather to dress up like their favorite characters, meet the actors who play their heroes, and bond people with fellow fans. Events such as these help to bridge the gap between escapism and avoidance because they bring people together. Rather than escape by yourself, you’re escaping with friends.

And that right there, is what needs to be brought to everyone’s attention. Escapism can be an exciting stress-reliever, but it can also be isolating. When you escape into a game, TV show, or book, you forget about real life. Once you finish the final level, last episode, or chapter, what do you have? Satisfaction? The knowledge of how Sherlock survived the famous fall? According to Celestine Chua, life coach and founder of Personal Excellence,

“ . . . many people try to escape from various things. No matter what they are trying to avoid, these things ultimately ladder down to their fears, their deepest sorrows, their pains, their past, their disappointments.”

Although this may sound harsh, you really haven’t done anything to improve your life by escaping reality. Escapism can provide stress relief, but it does not add to your life, it merely postpones it.

Don’t get me wrong though. I love escapism too. Every morning, I start my day watching a random episode of "Gilmore Girls" (I’ve seen all seven seasons three times through, and yes, I am ecstatic about the Netflix reboot coming in November).

I’m not entirely sure why, but "Gilmore Girls" calms me down. It’s a very light-hearted show and I think that light-heartedness helps me be a bit more light-hearted in my own life. This is proof that escapism can be beneficial to your health. However, it shouldn’t take over your life or overshadow reality.

If you use escapism to run away from your problems, take a minute to examine those frustrations.

Maybe you’re frustrated because you’re not doing what you want to be doing with your life. Maybe your family relationships are rocky. Or perhaps your job is giving you anxiety. If you want to change your circumstances, you have to solve them in the real world. Although the Marauders Map helped Harry, and Eleven uses Eggos to keep her energized, you are not a teenage wizard or a little girl with mind-control powers.

You have one life to live. Explore your area, spend time with your friends, and do things that make you happy. Use escapism to refuel and unwind, but don’t mistake escapism for living.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

88185
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

54906
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments