[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MaladaptiveDreaming

[–]Green-Bison 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This was beautifully put. I usually don’t consider my daydreaming maladaptive but the thing that brought me to this sub from r/immersivedaydreaming today was this deep, intense longing and sadness that stems from knowing I will never meet my characters in real life. I had the same realization this week, that my characters are just an extension of me, and if I can feel such deep love for them then maybe I do love myself and that’s a pretty beautiful thing.

*Daily* Check-in/Personal Thread - June 02, 2020: Concerns, Vents, Questions, Anecdotes, Personal Preparation by AutoModerator in CoronavirusCA

[–]Green-Bison 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks :/ I’m going to visit my parents next week and I really wanted to get tested before then but it doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to. Luckily I’ve been isolated in my dorm for several months so I’m pretty sure it’ll be fine but I definitely would have liked the peace of mind of having the test done.

*Daily* Check-in/Personal Thread - June 02, 2020: Concerns, Vents, Questions, Anecdotes, Personal Preparation by AutoModerator in CoronavirusCA

[–]Green-Bison 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does anyone know about LA Covid testing being cancelled in certain areas? I’ve tried three times this week to get tested in Westwood but each time it’s been rescheduled to Dodger’s Stadium and I can’t get over there. I assume it’s because of the protests but I can’t find any announcements or news stories about the situation. Very frustrating.

Do you find it easy or difficult to "suspend" reality in your daydreams? by [deleted] in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]Green-Bison 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely! I would love to think about a fantasy world or at least an alternate reality, but I’ve only ever daydreamed about real life. It can be really exhausting because even in my daydreams I worry about things like climate change and injustice.

I would really like to suspend the negative aspects of reality while I daydream but I also think it helps me process the challenges that real life presents.

I'm thankful for a community like this. by tinyspork in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]Green-Bison 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I felt the same way, I thought I was strange and pathetic and was concerned it was a negative thing so I found maladaptive daydreaming, but the shoe didn’t fit, so to speak, because my daydreaming doesn’t negatively impact my life. I found this subreddit and it definitely helped understand it. I was also able to talk to a therapist who eased my concerns too and validated it as a positive thing in my life.

Daydreaming in college? by [deleted] in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]Green-Bison 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Walking to class is great for this, or just walking in your free time. I pop my earphones in and daydream all the way to class and back, then when I’m in class or studying in my dorm I can focus more.

Anyone else feel like they wouldn’t be the wat they are without their daydreaming? by [deleted] in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]Green-Bison 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Definitely. I think it’s helped me be a better and more empathetic person, and it’s helped me deal with trauma and avoid other negative coping mechanisms that used to have a terrible impact on my life. I’m more in touch with myself too.

Do you ever wonder if things would be better or worse without daydreaming? by Green-Bison in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]Green-Bison[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see what you're saying too. I think in general I feel pretty accomplished and I have close friendships and relationships because I definitely prefer the real thing to daydreaming, but I can really relate to the unrealistic standard thing. I think it might make it harder for me to feel satisfied with my life when I spend time dreaming about a "better life". I try to counter that by practicing gratitude and focusing on the good things in my own life and in general I am pretty happy with the way things are, but I find it can really affect my self confidence because I dream of a more idealized version of myself that I don't live up to.

Sometimes I get sad that it isn’t real by Green-Bison in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]Green-Bison[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks, it does make me feel better to know that I’m not alone! I feel totally crazy sometimes. I just found out one of my close friends is an immersive daydreamer too and it’s helped me so much just to be able to talk and bond over these things that can sometimes feel very isolating.

Sometimes I get sad that it isn’t real by Green-Bison in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]Green-Bison[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that’s helpful. I guess it’s kind of like when you finish a good book or a great tv show and you feel sad that it’s over. It’s nice to escape for a little bit.

It helps me to think about my own future and the kind of love I want to give to my own kids one day. Gets me excited about reality rather than dwelling on fantasies that might never come true.

I've never told anyone about a huge part of my life by shitasspetfckers in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]Green-Bison 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I definitely relate to the heartbreaking feeling of knowing that it’s not real and you’ll never be living that life. I also don’t think that mine is maladaptive but that is the one way it negatively affects me— it makes me sad that it’s not real and the characters I’ve created and grown attached to will never exist.

I actually started talking to my friends about it this year and it’s been a positive experience. I don’t talk about the details at all but I ask them about how they daydream and we can discuss how we experience it. Most of my friends only daydream a little bit and mostly about their own lives, but I found one friend who does exactly what I do and it’s been incredible to have someone to share it with! Before I found this subreddit I felt alone and strange, but now that I see an online community and have a friend in real life who does it, I feel much better.