An Exploration of Escapism

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Introduction: What is escapism?

Escapism is defined as “the practice of seeking distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by engaging in entertainment or engaging in fantasy.” This definition suggests that escapism, at its core, is an act of running away. To me, escapism is the urge to be anywhere but the present moment — a desire to slip away from reality and lose oneself in a completely different world. These escapes can take the form of movies, books, gaming, or even endless scrolling on TikTok. They provide more than just a break from the here and now; they offer a window into alternate possibilities, a glimpse of what might be.

Escapism is both a symbol of running away and a desire to create something new. It reflects our need to avoid pain and reveals our unspoken hopes and dreams. This article dives into the dual nature of escapism, examining its role as both a self-destructive mechanism and as a potential savior. Ultimately, it explores whether escapism is inherently good or bad and how we can harness it in a healthy, balanced way.

Escapism as Self-Destruction

Escapism becomes unhealthy when an individual relies on a particular activity to the point where they neglect their personal, professional, and social responsibilities. These behaviors often manifest as prioritizing activities like scrolling on TikTok or watching movies over important responsibilities. For the individual, excessive escapism serves as a distraction from deeper issues, such as low self-esteem, dissatisfaction with life, or unresolved conflicts. While escapism may seem to offer temporary relief, it fails to address these underlying problems, allowing them to accumulate and become more challenging to overcome as time goes on.

What makes escapism so enticing is its very premise: a promise of a way out. It gives the individual an illusion of control, a temporary sanctuary where they can forget about the every-day pressures of life. But when the sanctuary becomes a prison, consequences start to arise. The responsibilities that have been previously neglected pile up, relationships are strained, and the world outside their escape gets colder, harsher, and more overwhelming.

And yet, it’s not just about running away. There’s something more profound happening here. Unhealthy escapism often becomes a mirror, reflecting the parts of ourselves and our lives that we wish we could change. Maybe the endless hours of watching romance movies aren’t just about avoiding reality but about yearning for a love you don’t yet have. Maybe the gaming isn’t just about defeating enemies but about feeling a sense of control, purpose, achievement, or belonging. This, in turn, is where escapism starts to become a savior.

Escapism as a Savior

When you engage in an escapist activity, you go from a place you don’t want to be, to a place where you do want to be. Individuals escape because it helps them, within their minds, experience the life that they dream of. Thus, escapism can also be looked at as running towards something: a way of grasping onto the life you want, even if it’s through the lens of a screen or through the pages of a book. Escapism is especially appealing because it offers what reality often cannot: limitless freedom. These outlets provide experiences and emotions that may feel unattainable in real life, all within the safety of a low-risk environment, such as the comfort of your own home. For example, if you’re feeling down, you can pull out your phone and watch your favorite comedy show. Within seconds, your mood begins to shift. At the touch of a button, you can transport yourself to any reality of your choosing, whether fictional or non-fictional. Escapism can be healthy, and healthy escapism allows for relaxation and rejuvenation. Escapism is also classified as “healthy” when it contributes to your overall well-being. These forms of escapism consist of watching movies, reading, meditation, working on skills, engaging in hobbies, and more. The bottom line is that healthy escapism adds to the quality of your life, instead of taking from it. It gives you energy, motivation, and hope, while also helping you build healthier habits while increasing your mood and productivity.

Incorporating Healthy Escapism

While escapism is enticing and often addictive, it can be utilized in a healthy manner. It can actually become a blueprint for your dreams, and you can use it to enhance your productivity. Here are some ways in which you can use escapism to build your dream life:

• Identify Your Desires: The books, movies, and games you enjoy show you your desires — the elements of life that you long for. Instead of just passively consuming these forms of escapism, take note of what resonates with you. Do the characters in the stories inspire you? Is there a lifestyle or mindset in the books you read that you want to embody? Think about this and take note of it, either in your mind, on paper, or on your favorite notes app!

• Inspiration → Action: If a book character you admire has a healthy, productive routine, try to adopt some of those habits. If a movie shows characters taking risks and following their dreams, consider how you can take similar steps to accomplishing your dreams in your own life. You could even do a character study and analyze different aspects of the character before then embodying that character in your daily life. You could do this by asking yourself, what would this character do in this situation, or what would my ideal self do in this situation? Next, you take action based on that vision. This allows you to make decisions aligned with your ideal self, fostering lasting change in a way that feels engaging and enjoyable.

• Reflection: After a binge-watching or gaming session, take a few minutes to reflect on what you’ve experienced. Ask yourself, how can you incorporate any of that excitement, inspiration, or motivation into your daily life? How can you make the mundane tasks in your life more fun and engaging?

• Gratitude: Create a ritual where, after engaging in escapism, you take time to re-connect with reality by practicing gratitude. This practice can be as simple as writing down three things you appreciate about your current life. It helps reframe feelings of dissatisfaction and reminds you of the positive aspects that already exist in your reality.

  
  

The key to healthy, productive, and useful escapism is asking yourself: Is this guiding me toward the life I truly want to create? There are so many creative ways to use escapism to enhance your life. All the precious time spent escaping could be better used to build your dream life—a life that you don’t have to escape from anymore.