Andrea Green's Blog - Posts Tagged "escape"
Reading, Writing & Mental Health
I can't even begin to tell you how many times someone has asked why do you enjoy reading? (Or, why do you like to write?)
The answer is both simple, and complicated. The simple part is, that reading and writing are an escape. They're an escape from real life. I read every day anyway, but when I've had it up to the gills with reality, I want to escape to someone else's world. I don't want to think about my life, I'd rather read about someone else's fictional life.
Most books have a happy ending. Or, at least they have a resolved ending. Real-life? Not so much. I like to read about a character and their happy endings. I like to know, that at least in someone's imagination, good things can happen.
The same with my writing. I like to tell stories, and often some of my own anxieties and worries bleed into those stories. Take my debut novel, Stronger Together. Granted, I never suffered the abuse Susie has, I have never dealt with the grave injuries that Hunter and Kent have suffered. (Although I do have injuries of my own) I do, however, have the anxiety of whether I will ever find someone who truly accepts me despite my problems, and loves me regardless. I want the casual affection that comes from truly loving someone and knowing them. And I fear that real life doesn't turn out the way books do. So, I read and I write. Because at least in stories, I don't have to read books with sad endings, and I can write books that turn out happy for everyone.
There are times when I think the only things that have kept me from losing my shi(take mushrooms) are my daughter, reading, and writing.
So, after all of this rambling, I guess what I am saying is, don't let anyone shame you for needing to escape reality for a little while, in whatever (healthy) way you need to. Whether it's reading, writing, working out, photography, etc. You do whatever is needed for you to stay sane. Especially with life being as rough as it is right now.
Peace and love!
The answer is both simple, and complicated. The simple part is, that reading and writing are an escape. They're an escape from real life. I read every day anyway, but when I've had it up to the gills with reality, I want to escape to someone else's world. I don't want to think about my life, I'd rather read about someone else's fictional life.
Most books have a happy ending. Or, at least they have a resolved ending. Real-life? Not so much. I like to read about a character and their happy endings. I like to know, that at least in someone's imagination, good things can happen.
The same with my writing. I like to tell stories, and often some of my own anxieties and worries bleed into those stories. Take my debut novel, Stronger Together. Granted, I never suffered the abuse Susie has, I have never dealt with the grave injuries that Hunter and Kent have suffered. (Although I do have injuries of my own) I do, however, have the anxiety of whether I will ever find someone who truly accepts me despite my problems, and loves me regardless. I want the casual affection that comes from truly loving someone and knowing them. And I fear that real life doesn't turn out the way books do. So, I read and I write. Because at least in stories, I don't have to read books with sad endings, and I can write books that turn out happy for everyone.
There are times when I think the only things that have kept me from losing my shi(take mushrooms) are my daughter, reading, and writing.
So, after all of this rambling, I guess what I am saying is, don't let anyone shame you for needing to escape reality for a little while, in whatever (healthy) way you need to. Whether it's reading, writing, working out, photography, etc. You do whatever is needed for you to stay sane. Especially with life being as rough as it is right now.
Peace and love!
