Escapism, freedom for the soul.
Posted by: Claire | February 11, 2012
We all live to escape, whether it’s through books, television, films, the theatre, music, art, video games, the imagination, even travel. We lose ourselves in another world, a world where things are different, where somebody else has the highs and lows, where we can watch from afar, safe from the hurt and heartbreak. As humans we’ve been doing it for as long as we’ve been telling each other stories, passing on tribal law or ancient legends. We enjoy living vicariously through others, it brings us joy and adventure in a controlled environment. Society is founded on our desire to escape from reality.
We spend billions of pounds every year to escape from the lives we have. Does it bring happiness? Absolutely. Does it allow us to cope with the pain and the fear of the great unknown we face every day? Definitely. Does it bring long-lasting satisfaction? No.
It’s why we always crave more, another good book, the latest film, the next episode on television. The need to escape is like an addiction, you need the next fix, the next installment to get you through the day, through your life. Take it all away, the books, music, films, everything and make everybody go cold turkey, living reality 24/7 and the world would come to a screeching halt. I don’t believe we’d be able to function without it.
Is it wrong to want to escape? I don’t think so, because of my ME, I’ve spent the majority of my life wishing I was somewhere else, living another life. In fact the whole point of Holidays From Home is the ability to escape your reality and go to another place, it’s helped me through some horrendous times; but wouldn’t it be amazing if the life you were living was enough, that you had all that could possibly need without slipping into someone else’s reality.
I don’t believe it’s possible to remove our desire for escapism, it’s just not how we were designed. The world would be a duller place without the generations of great story tellers, who have transported us and helped our spirits soar, whatever their choice of medium.
Science and technology is credited with the success of humans, our ability to create and solve problems; but maybe it’s really down to our imaginations and our ability to withstand the challenges and suffering we face, by emotionally escaping real life, if only for a short while.
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February 15, 2012 | Angel:
Ya know what… for as much as I love life as it is right now… I can really dig escapism.
When I was in high school, I loved to read more than anything else in the world. I would literally get so caught up in a book that I’d find I’d read well into the night, my bladder was screaming for release, and my extremities had literally gone numb from being in the same spot for so long.
I miss those days more than I can say.
I’d get so caught up in whatever book I was reading, that it was like I became a watcher.. not quite a character within it, but still part of the story somehow.
To me, this is a perfectly valid way to not only escape, however briefly, into another potential.. another story… but also a way to open our minds and hearts to other ways of being & doing….
<3
February 21, 2012 | holidays4mhome:
I know that feeling, reading for so long that your eyes start to ache and you can barely move; but you just HAVE to read the next chapter, just one. Then one turns into two or three!
February 15, 2012 | Leah Shapiro:
I’m a firm believer in being present and loving your life. I tend to want to deal with the crappy stuff head on so I don’t feel the need to tune out and escape.
BUT-
that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a great book or a fun movie. I love to get caught up in someone else’s story. I think it’s great food for thought and can introduce me to new ways of thinking I’d never come across on my own.
February 21, 2012 | holidays4mhome:
I think some of the most life changing thoughts and beliefs I’ve discovered from books or films, they hold the wisdom of others in an easy to access form. It saves reinventing the wheel!
February 15, 2012 | Bri Saussy:
I really like your take on this Claire. Usually I advise clients to avoid escapism, but you are right-there are some ways of escaping that are really amazing, meaningful, and life enriching!
February 21, 2012 | holidays4mhome:
Thanks Bri. I’ve been working hard to stay in the moment; but it does feel a relief at times to pick up a book and lose myself in somebody else’s journey.
February 16, 2012 | Marjory:
“Society is founded on our desire to escape from reality.” I appreciate you bringing up this subject. It seems to be one of the root problems in our modern day society, especially here in the US. Healing comes when we are able to see the beauty that is right in front of us.
February 21, 2012 | holidays4mhome:
I think the beauty around us is really overlooked, it’s sad and scary how much we miss on a daily basis.
February 16, 2012 | Ashley Robinson:
I completely agree that we would not survive without our little escapes – besides the world would be a less interesting and beautiful place without the movies, books, and other forms of escape we’ve thought up.
I don’t know how many books I read to get me through the tough times in my life. Spiriting myself away to anywhere besides where I actually was ended up being my saving grace.
I love my life now, but every once in a while it is nice to escape and maybe when I return to reality I’m refreshed enough to enjoy it all that much more
February 21, 2012 | holidays4mhome:
I’m still at that place where escapism is so crucial to get through the tough times; but you’ve given me hope Ashley that things can change and I’ll get to a place where reading is a choice for pleasure.
February 17, 2012 | Marita Rahlenbeck:
I’d not thought of reading a book, watching a show, going to a movie as escaping. I’ll sit with that and ponder. I find pleasure in that. And yet, I can also just sit and be with myself….
Hmmmm. You’ve given me something to chew on.
February 21, 2012 | holidays4mhome:
Hi Marita, I’m pleased I have given you something to ponder. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts!
February 17, 2012 | Jessica:
Yes! And escaping into someone else’s story is a way of understanding other people better, too — in addition to getting a new grip on your own story. I totally agree that we’re hardwired for escapism, and maybe the “me or them” question is really more of a “chicken or egg” thing. Either way, I’ll take it. Without a release valve like a good yoga practice or a dance class I’m totally into, I might just blow a gasket.
February 21, 2012 | holidays4mhome:
That’s true, you do get a better understanding of the world and other people through reading from their perspective. I’m reading “Reading Lolita in Tehran” with my book club and it’s presenting so many thoughts I’ve never thought of before.
I hadn’t thought about exercise being escapism too; but you’re right it is just as good and can be really meditative. I remember when I used to be well enough to swim it was almost trance like, just me, the motion and the feel of my body. I miss it.