Escapism

Escapism – Noun

“The tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.” – Oxford Languages.

Now more than ever, our society is reflecting the dark, dismal worlds of The Hunger Games, Divergent and Nineteen Eighty-Four (Orewell should’ve written a sequel called Twenty Twenty). And from watching the news – as much as I try to avoid it – we seem to be continuously declining. With negativity infecting anything and everything, people are seeking something to remind them of the brighter side of life, something exciting, fun, entertaining, and not real.

And so, people resort to escapism.

I came across the word during the rough few months of the first UK lockdown in 2020, after finding myself literally creating a fake world in my head to run away from the horrors of that dreadful year.

What Is Escapism?

Escapism is a mental diversion or distraction from daily life. Common forms of escapism include playing video games, reading books, film/TV and exercise such as jogging.

Ludwig II of Bavaria used to escape into the worlds created by Richard Wagner, a German theatrical composer. This is likely due to the pressures of being king at 18, as well as being a homosexual at a time when it was largely frowned upon.

Escapism was also a large coping mechanism during The Great Depression. People resorted to magazines, movies and radio to find happiness during such dark times, especially during the stock market crash of 1929. Mickey Mouse is said to have lifted many Americans spirit, and was a significant factor in keeping Disney in business.

Is Escapism Good or Bad?

For many people, escapism is a necessity. Without it, life would be very boring. (I mean, imagine a world without Hogwarts!) But in many ways, escapism can be not so good, sometimes it can be very dangerous!

For example, the abuse of recreational drugs is a form of escapism, whether it be to make life more ‘exciting’ or to block out the world completely, this is common with people who use escapism due to depression. This can lead to addiction and even death. Addiction to the internet is another way in which escapism can turn nasty, this is common with people who are dealing with chronic loneliness. These people seek out online games and forums to fulfil their loneliness.

However, short term escapism is crucial for us to remain emotionally balanced. In a world where ‘no news is good news’, escapism is a way for us to find our own ‘good news’. Whether it be Harry defeating Voldemort, building your dream house in Minecraft, or just going for a walk in the woods and listening to the birds, escapism is the perfect way for us to clear our heads and focus on something that makes us happy. It’s just as shame that happiness often lies in imaginary worlds and universes. But hey, that’s the 21st Century in a nutshell.

I use escapism all the time! As an aspiring writer, how else am I supposed to make up stories and characters? I must admit, I sometimes rely on escapism a little too much at times (maybe instead of making my character in TheSims4 the most popular guy in town, I should work on my own social skills.) But it’s fun to ‘escape’ into fictional worlds sometimes. There’s often a sense of community, e.g. The Wizarding World (Go Hufflepuffs!) I think, as an introvert, I need escapism to distract myself from all of the socially awkward situations I put myself in, and to avoid overthinking them to the point of exhaustion. Like a summer getaway, it’s a way for me to clear my head, but without the cost!

So, in conclusion, escapism is a part of life. If running away to Middle-Earth for a few hours is what you need to put yourself in a good mood, then do it! But if you find yourself relying a little too much on fantasy, it might be worth bringing yourself back into reality and help yourself find happiness in the real world.