I recently had a conversation with an acquaintance that, I must say, came as quite a surprise.

I must begin this by saying that I am someone who loves to read. I am someone with an unending imagination, a respect for creativity and a fervor for good storytelling. I can sit and lose myself in a song, allowing my mind to be consumed by the story told in the lyrics. And I can open a book and read for hours, and I'll probably dream myself into the book's universe when I fall asleep at night. And, I should probably mention that my dream job is to work as a writer for Pixar. I want to create worlds that will draw people in and then change their perspective on reality.

But, most importantly, I thrive on good storytelling and creativity. So, you can imagine my surprise when, in a conversation, I was told that fiction is a waste of time. My acquaintance, who is a driven, respectable, budding professional, was convinced that reading is a waste of time, unless it is reading solely to advance your career.

I was taken aback. Is this how people think? Do they see fiction as a waste of time? I've come to realize that, in fact, it is not uncommon that people avoid fiction novels like the plague. This is a disheartening realization.

There are so many reasons why, especially in this world, we need fiction more than ever. Fiction provides an escape from reality. For whatever length of time, you can step out of your own shoes and into those of someone else. You can enter a world so different from your own, yet so incredibly relatable. You will find solace in the connections you make to characters that don't even exist. When you do finally step back into reality, you will see the world through a new lens.

Your mind is like a muscle. You have to exercise it so that it can work effectively. You will not be able to grow your imagination without training it to take risks and open up to new possibilities. Reading fiction is like exercising.

It is not to say that reading non-fiction can't have the same impact. However, there is a difference between reading non-fiction for entertainment and reading non-fiction for work. If you read an autobiography on someone you admire, that is enjoyable. If you are reading a non-fiction book on some intricate detail of something you use at work, that is not fun. You have to give yourself a break sometimes. You have to step away from the reality and the work you handle daily and step into a world unlike anything you had ever imagined.

Fiction is not a waste of time. It is a chance for you to see the world in a way you never have before. It is a chance for you to step away and be someone you have always wanted to be. In books, you can have superpowers, be the king of the world or secretly date the world's most beloved singer. You can live the life you never knew you wanted to live, or maybe learn to appreciate your own more through the struggles of others.

Just because a book is fiction doesn't mean it can't provide some real truth. In fact, fictional stories are sometimes the most honest of them all. The authors, obviously, live in the same world as you. Their inspirations will be drawn from a world you know. So even the most outrageous of fictional universes have roots in the real world. The characters they dream up are based on people you'll recognize in your own life. You'll find yourself realizing that the challenges you battle and the demons you keep secret aren't specific to just you. You'll see that the world is a much different place than you think, if you just know where to look. You'll learn that people aren't who they seem and you'll understand things about yourself that you never understood before.

Take the time to read fiction. Immerse yourself in a new world. Find your love of words. Become someone new and escape the harsh reality. Take in a new perspective. Don't see fiction as a waste of time, see it as an investment in your imagination.