Where Do You Escape To...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
March 27, 2008 2:36pm CST
We all have our hobbies that we enjoy. Reading, pc's, movies, you name it. But how often do our hobbies turn into escapism from our daily problems?
I learned to read at a young age and literally read myself through my teen years. I was never without a book or stack of books. Nancy Drew, Stephen King, all kinds of books. I had alot of problems at home during that time and my books were a way to escape the problems. In the books I could be in a whole different part of the world, I could be stronger and braver, I didn't have to deal with my problems. Most importantly the problems in the books were always solved by the end of the book.
When I was in a relationship with my ex my escape was my needlework in addition to my reading. I could get lost in a design and not have to face the problems I was having.
Now, I have less problems but I still have an escape. Everquest...it's an online game that I play off and on. It's fun, I'll give it that but it is in reality another escapism for when I get to stressed and just want to zone out days at a time.
I used to think it was bad to have an escapism but maybe it isn't. After all, we all need a break now and then from the real world and at least it isn't drugs or alcohol like some ppl turn to.
Where do you escape to when things get to be too much? Do you think it's healthy to have a place to escape to?
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
14 people like this
33 responses
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I love to read and do puzzles. Puzzles are my fav I have many of them hanging on my walls and well many i glued even if I was missing pieces.
3 people like this
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I did that many years ago, maybe I might pick that up again. Who knows I might just take a picture that I like and turn it into a jigsaw puzzle.
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
27 Mar 08
Like you I escape to my Books always have done even as a Child
As you say you can loose yourself in to a different world and everything round you is forgotten for a bit
I love reading always have
I read at night before I go to sleep
@nannacroc (4049)
•
27 Mar 08
No matter what other interests I have my books have always been my escape.
2 people like this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
28 Mar 08
I retreat to my music. I have ear phones and I put them on and close out the world until I am ready to deal. My music has always been able to settle me down. There is also my reading that I can go to and escape to. I get totally into the story I happen to be reading and hear nothing around me. I don't think there is anything wrong with this as long as we realize it for what it is. A escape for a small period of time. When I come back out of my escape I am ready to deal with what ever problem there is.
2 people like this
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
28 Mar 08
There is nothing wrong with having an escape as long as it doesn't become an addiction. Some people engage in joga, playing an instrument, or decorating.
On the other hand, is important to face our problems and look for solutions instead of avoiding our problems. We feel better when things are going well.
@vera5d (4005)
• United States
28 Mar 08
i used to read like that in middle school...i was the class dork, i think i only had like 1 friend for those 3 years after my best friend all through elementary school decided i wasn't cool enough for her or her new friends anymore. the other people i became friends with were all losers like me. we had a book club at the library, i pathetically won each time, usually outreading the other nerds 30-50 books, lol. I am a very fast reader - between 6-8 pages per minute :) i think i skip over things when i read sometimes though so it's not always a good thing.
Another thing i got into doing to escaoe was collaging...i would cut out magazine pictures & make whatever out of them. it was very therapuetic :)
these days i escape to mylot for some adult conversation when the kids take naps, sometimes cleaning too...i don't have much time as i'd really like to escape :)
I definately think if the escaped place is a good one, it's healthy to get away...but if you find it's taking over your life or you build your whole day around the escapism activity then it's probably time to wake up & let it go for awhile :)
@jennawinseverytime (377)
• United States
1 Apr 08
hey twoey! when things get too rough for me I escape into excerisize I bought an elliptical machine from walmart for only 180 dollars and if someone tries to ruin my day I hop on it and when I am done I feel so much better like I burned the anger right out of me.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
27 Mar 08
Yes I do! I believe that anyone in the medical profession would agree that anyway to relax and reduce stress can only be good for you as long as your choice of escape does not become an obsession.
2 people like this
@saigonwarrior (1331)
• United States
27 Mar 08
Pretty much the same as you. I grew up reading and have never stopped. I read each night before
going to sleep, it helps me forget everything
and get lost.
I always have a novel on my nightstand.
In my computer room, 3 walls are bookcases and they are filled.
I had to purchase some new books last week, because I ran out of things to read...lol
I love books :)
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
1 Apr 08
I would have to say I escape to my little world on my computer, it usually takes my mind off of things, also my arts and crafts, because I get so involved in what I am creating that I forget for a little while.
1 person likes this
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I guess you can say that I escape too! Just to get out of the moment and to forget my troubles. The internet, crocheting and i hope to pick up photography here soon as the weather warms up. It's all productive besides maybe playing pogo games on line. It's the way I wind down my day.
2 people like this
@frostbitten (92)
• United States
6 Apr 08
I was really into reading as escapism when I was younger too. I was pretty troubled and books helped me briefly leave the pain of reality behind. Now that I'm older I've learned to deal with problems better so I'm not as into escapism as I used to be, but I still love to read.
I still think everyone needs a little escape in life, though. As long as people keep it in check so they don't lose touch with the real world, like I've unfortunately seen a few people do. Reading, playing a game (I play World of Warcraft sporadically), or watching a movie you love can be a great way to de-stress.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
29 Mar 08
Mylot was my escape, and it has turned into a hobby and a source of good advice and friendship. I have learned somewhat about investing, and I have talked with people all over the world, and I have learned about other interesting sites. None of the other sites has grabbed me as much, though.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
29 Mar 08
I think if you don't have a safe haven to go to ,just for a while,you could be worse off. It isn't like you go to escape and you are never coming back.Whatever helps you get through tough things in your life is good.Especially if they ate legal and healthy.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
28 Mar 08
My escape is my live action role play games, when I get to spend a weekend as another person. I dress in my costume and take on my character, and get lost in the game world - a lot like Everquest but we play the game for real. We all need some form of escape from the real world on occasion, a break from reality.
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
28 Mar 08
I totally think that's it helathy to have a sort of escape to go to when you are stressed. Even if you're not stressed it's just nice to escape into something to wind down. I like to do needle work but my eyes are getting really bad and I have a really hard time stitching because it's hard for me to see what i am doing. I like to work on puzzles to and I love a good book. In the summertime I like to go outside and garden and work on my flowers and vegetable in the fresh air. Fresh air always seems to help clear my thoughts and unwind a little bit.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
31 Mar 08
I see nothing wrong with a little escaping. It gives us a chance to relax and get a chance to step away from issues. I dont say that it is ok to completely avoid problems but why stress out over things. I tend to be a worrier and stress myself out. I too love to read and right now I cant wait to find some more books. Just like you I read a lot as a kid and did find myself becoming part of the story. As an only child books were important ways to have a life.
1 person likes this
@tiffiny (872)
• United States
1 Apr 08
My escapes are in a book, in my craft that I'm working on at that moment (there's alot) working, scrap booking, praying, going into my room. Right now I'm trying to use MyLot as my escape for the moment becuase my kids are driving me nuts and I cant' get them to stop. Lol But like you said as long as your escapes aren't harming anyone else or yourself they really are a great way to bring you back to center and make life a little eaiser to deal with for that mmoment.
1 person likes this
