Have you ever heard of the word, ‘Escapism?’ Have you ever been confronted with a challenge and your response was to sleep, or rut in bed, while binge-watching your comfort show? Well, a lot of people do this.
“The other day, I had so much work to do, I felt overwhelmed. Guess what I did? Watch movies - series of movies, scroll social media, eat, sleep, etc. I did everything else but the work I was supposed to do. I didn’t do them. Why? My workload felt too much, and I didn’t know where to start so I thought let me just take a break, I’d start after this episode, and one episode went to two, or three and you know how it goes. The day was over and I had done nothing.” You do this often and it is called ‘Escapism.’
What is Escapism?
Escapism is leaving briefly behind the stresses, problems, and mundanity of everyday life by immersing oneself in a more enjoyable, relaxing, or fantastical experience. It’s a coping mechanism that allows individuals to disengage from reality and recharge.
Life can be challenging at times. People often look for ways to get their minds off their current situation. Depending on the situation, people could have suicidal thoughts, make rash decisions, slip into depression, and so on.
Sometimes it’s the fact that misery loves company. At times, seeing some people doing well inspires them. The point is, that people going through tough times prefer to look everywhere but inside themselves. And a good thing to look at is “media.”
Media and Escapism
Of the various forms of escapism, media is the most common. I mean social media, movies, music, sports, books, video games, etc.
People often turn to media because it blurs the lines between fairytale and reality. Imagine you just got heartbroken, watching a Korean drama where the male and female lead fall in love could help you imagine scenarios where you and your partner get back together. Watching a movie where someone recovers from heartbreak could inspire you to get your relationship back on track or move on. Watching something funny could make you laugh and take your mind off things. That way, you won’t need to worry about what is fake or real. Your focus or reality at the moment is what you are watching.
The Media is not just escapism, it could also affect your identity and perception of yourself. It could inspire you to focus more on your work and engage in the popular “self-love” and “self-care” combo.
These days TikTok is the most popular go-to place for escapism.
Escapism is a Double-Edged Sword
Escapism can be both a good or bad thing depending on the approach of the “escapist”. Escapism can relieve stress and serve as a form of relaxation. It can inspire a person to be better. However, more often than not, escapism also leads to addiction, and social isolation, amongst many other negative things.
As we explore the complexities of escapism, it’s essential to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy forms of escapism.
Healthy escapism provides a temporary break from stress, anxiety, or overwhelming situations, allowing individuals to recharge and refresh. It can take many forms, such as reading, watching a funny movie, playing sports, or practicing meditation
Unhealthy escapism, on the other hand, is used to avoid dealing with problems, emotions, or responsibilities. It’s excessive, interferes with daily life, and can evoke negative emotions like guilt, shame, or anxiety. Unhealthy escapism can manifest in activities like binge-watching TV, excessive gaming, substance abuse, or avoiding important tasks.
Neglect of responsibilities, social isolation, and negative impacts on physical health. Individuals may also experience feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety when unable to engage in escapist activities. These are some of the ways to know you’re indulging in escapism excessively.
By recognizing the signs of excessive escapism, you can take steps to maintain a healthy balance between escapism and reality. So whenever you are indulging, ensure you indulge moderately. Escape and come back inspired!
Disclaimer: The opinions, views, and information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of iNaijanow. The company assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from the use of this information.
