Everyone has their own escape. Whether it’s binge eating your favorite ice cream, hanging out with friends or family, lighting up a joint, or listening to music. My escape is a bunch of things combined. Whenever I am in a bad mood or feeling anxious I enjoy my alone time more anything. I know what you are thinking,“ when you are sad you are suppose to distract yourself, not isolate yourself." However, the thing is I need to be alone to feel better. I need to be alone and forced to deal with what is going on in my brain. If I don’t, it will just eat, eat, and eat at me. Another big reason why I need to be alone when I am not in the right mindset is because I start to act out of character. I am to busy fighting with the monsters in my head. Therefore, as soon as I’m being questioned about even the simplest questions I get more and more overwhelmed. Which results in my monsters coming out through my reactions.

Now, I cannot blame my dark thoughts for my actions. Therefore, after years and years of dealing with myself I have learned strategies to get my bad habits under control. I take time to myself and try my best to stay away from people. I either listen to my punk pop music to help me escape and feel my feelings more. People think punk music is all screamo and no meaning. However, Neck Deep gets me lost in my feelings more than anyone other artists has ever. They have always been there when I am against myself. I am able to connect to their music in a way that teaches me a lot of my current feelings. I also will watch one of my favorite tv series like Law and Order: SVU or something less serious like Rick and Morty. Television has a good way of distracting you and stops me personally from other thinking. By getting lost in something else it relaxes me and allows me to focus on what the big issue is or what is truly bothering me. Sometimes talking to a trusted person can really help. I know that the point of an escape can be to be alone. However, I reach out to my boyfriend a lot when these other things aren't working out for me. And without him it wouldn't be a true getaway. It is your escape and you make it however you want it to be. Since it is for YOU!

Everyone deals with their darkness in their own way. We all have a little bit of darkness in us. Which is why everyone has their own escape. We forget about our escape though usually when we need to get away the most. We fight with ourselves and others when we get irritable. Next time you are feeling blue take a second and think. Ask yourself, “Do I need to get away?”. Taking some time and participating something that relaxes you is not only a healthy natural option. However, it is like a mini vacation without truly going anywhere. Get lost in a book, a movie, a piece of your own artwork. Your escape can help bring you back to the truth. It will help you understand yourself better, your feelings, and your happiness.