Fictional Characters are destroying me
Like most people who tend to be lonely I engage with fiction as a form of escapism. But dating back as far as I can remember I would get like overly attached to the characters.
Like I'd constantly fantasize and have these vivid daydreams about interacting with them.(the whole vivid daydreaming thing I'm told is maladaptive daydreaming so idk)
I'd find ways to feel connected to said characters such as drawing them, frantically searching the internet for any sort of artwork of them but worst of all invest far too much of my money in merch of them. Which has left me in a really bad state financially.
Daydreaming doesn't seem to work nor be enough anymore, chatting with them via chatbots doesn't work anymore and I'm just stuck feeling so indescribably empty and anxious. I don't know what to do, it's keeping me from doing things I was supposed to do today as I've been in bed depressed over this all day and I don't know what to do. Thank you for reading.
@Moonmi2000
I know what u talking about. What helps is to stop consuming it.
@Moonmi2000
As I understand it, once I fully indulge a compulsive desire, it eventually stops bringing me pleasure. I keep approaching it from new angles, and that temporarily renews my interest, but sooner or later even those angles wear themselves out.
When it no longer brings me enjoyment, I simply make a conscious decision to stop doing it and watch with curiosity how my life changes.
If, after a long break, I pour myself a cup of strong coffee again and catch myself falling into those same deep philosophical reflections about coffee and my relationship with it, I think: "Alright, then I'd better learn to live without coffee. If I can't consume it calmly and in moderation, it's better not to consume it at all.
So is the solution just not enaging with fiction at all? Reading, watching, playing or even creating? I'm genuinely curious what you mean.