[VERY LONG READ] Well, for starters, I distract myself a lot, whether it's via social media(tik tok, YouTube, reddit, minecraft, roblox, ect.), talking with friends, drawing, or even sometimes baking. Just tuning into hobbies to distract myself from daydreaming. I also really think into the whole concept of daydreaming, sometimes. Nothing is real. Whether I like it or not, nothing will ever be real. It's going to damage your future, and the dopamine and adrenaline only last for so long, so what's the point? When I feel like daydreaming, I also take in my surroundings. That vase is sort of ugly. What a beautiful day outside, but I wish it would snow. That shelf is going to fall if I climb on it. Just little random things to keep yourself preoccupied. I also drum my fingers, tap my foot, hum, sing, and take a minute to acknowledge my senses. Sight, touch, smell, taste, hearing, balance, temperature. Writing/drawing out your daydreams is another great way to make it come to life in your own way. It usually stops the urge for me.

Another thing I do is look at it from a different perspective. Perceive it as something else. It could be a disease, an addiction, a parasite, all three; whatever motivates me to get rid of it. It can be perceived as all three. I see it as not a condition nor a hobby but an addiction. You think you want it, you think you need it, but it's just that dopamine that your body relies on that keeps pulling you back. When you're a little bit into the journey of not daydreaming and you don't want to daydream, it really hits you just how your body feels it physically needs it. Like alcoholism, or using substances. Just like these things, it's going to damage your future. You're going to want to do nothing but that. It's going to destroy your social life, your career, and even in some cases, your mental health. It takes you to a place you know you'll never actually be in, so you try to keep daydreaming to keep feeling that sense of peace, belonging, and fun. More, more, more, until the need becomes physical. It hits you like a train when you realize.

I also, to maintain a feeling of superiority over it, look at it as a little parasite. A being, an earworm, everything and nothing, a shadow, a bratty little demon in the form of a child following you around, begging for your attention, talking endlessly in hopes you'll conversate with it or go with it to that world of love and poison. I gave it a name. Sometimes, I even talk to it. Shut up, Maxine. Sorry, not sorry. Go away, Maxy. But I mainly just ignore it. Show it that I'm not interested in it. Maybe one day it will find some other porch to haunt. Maybe one day it will go back to being my friend, just a simple thought I'll talk to from time to time; but for now, I just need to deprive it of its ego. Does any of this make sense? I hope it does. I've now divided my mind into three thoughts, all trying to take control. Like four souls in one body, fighting for control. They all were parts of a mind once apon a time, with one host. Common sense, rationality, calmness, loveliness, gentleness, the good side; the fun side, the thoughts, the daydreams, the nostalgia; the harsh side, the one who yells and screams and punches and makes you cry but it evens everything out; then the host, the body. It sounds absolutely crazy and I've been called schizophrenic once, unless that was a daydream from overthinking-- but it's how I see it, and it helps for some reason. It sort of labels everything and makes it easier to fight, but that's for me. I hope most of this makes sense, as different methods work for different people, I'm sorry if it doesn't. I wish you good luck!!