In this world of relentless stress, political unrest and the threat of a nuclear war, the allure of escape has never been stronger. Whether it’s through the pages of a book, the exhilaration of a video game, media feeds or a movie, there are many ways to seek refuge from the burden of reality.
This phenomenon, known as escapism, is both timeless and timely, offering temporary relief and psychological sanctuary. It’s a coping mechanism that allows us to stop and breathe. It enables our minds to recharge, and time to process emotions. That’s Google’s interpretation!
Let’s face it, life can get a bit much and we all have moments where we would rather be somewhere else! So, enter escapism, the getaway car we all climb into from time to time. It’s like a mental holiday without the airport stress and bad sunburn! A little escapism can help us reset and return to life with more energy and enthusiasm and in a better frame of mind! In moderation escapism isn’t running away, it’s just pressing the pause button.
Escapism is my little luxury. One minute I’m sitting on the sofa nursing a cup of coffee or a glass of red, the next I’m strolling through a Tuscan village, attending a royal ball or sunning myself on my billion dollar yacht. It’s not that I dislike my life, far from it, but imaginary life comes with fewer responsibilities and much better weather! And quite frankly, after years of multi-tasking, I think I’ve earned the right to periodically disappear!
Unfortunately there can be a darker side. When escaping becomes the ‘go to’ response for everything, it can start to blur the line between just taking a break and completely ignoring reality. The healthy break becomes a permanent hideaway. If escapism is a shield used to avoid difficult situations or emotions it could lead to procrastination, social withdrawal or begin to affect mental health. Because of today’s world of endless distractions, scrollable, streamable and snackable, it’s becoming far too easy to ‘check out’! We’d miss real life’s joys and connections by hiding in an unbalanced fantasy world. Reality won’t disappear if we do and the problems will still be there when we finally emerge!
Ironically I’ve taken my own little escapism journey by writing this blog. It comes to you from someone with a mild addiction to procrastination, the joy of the written word and a firm belief that escaping reality can often be the only way to survive! I am also a professional over thinker and part time daydreamer. I was born with an over active imagination and a low tolerance for boring activities like housework and baking!
Life is messy, weird and occasionally too loud so I don’t see escaping for a couple of hours as a weakness but a coping mechanism and some ‘me’ time. It’s a way to return to life with my sanity (mostly) intact. So, I take that break, watch that movie, read that book, guiltlessly retreat into my favourite distraction.
So, go ahead, escape a little. Wander through fictional worlds, dance in your daydreams or just take a well-deserved break. But, just a subtle word of warning, it’s not about running away but about adding a bit of sparkle to your life. Taking a small detour can lift your mood and make every day chores less onerous!
Just don’t forget to come back.
Pausing to gain clarity, calm and a clearer perspective is one of the most positive things I’ve learned. Often reality feels easier to face after I’ve taken that moment to step away. You should try it! 👠
Jenny Burrell 