What Do You Escape From?

It's day 165 of documenting 2025.

Why do we escape? 🤔
A question I recently asked.
AI helped with the answers and I'll share the full chat in this post.

But before that, I want to make a shout out to a special person.
I was going through a difficult time yesterday and it got to the point where I broke down in tears 😭

But this special person was there to cheer me up.
I felt better after talking with him and we talked for almost an hour.
(Don't get any funny ideas...we're not dating!)
He reminded me that I'm not alone and that I can get through anything.
Even make the necessary sacrifices to become the person I'm destined to be.

Shout out to you, PK ♥️
I appreciate all that you do for me.
Being friends with you has been a blessing I thank God for.
And I pray he grants you all your heart desires and doubles the joy you have given me.
Thank you, Ami 😌

That was heartfelt, right?
Well, it came from my heart.
(Get the wordplay? 😄)
Alright, let's move to Highlights.

365 Days With Self-discipline
📌 On Not Living Up To Your Ideals

"Our behavior sometimes falls short of our ideals not because we’re bad people and not because our self-interest outweighs our benevolence, but because we fon’t realize we’re not living up to our ideals".
Quote by Russ Roberts.

"Self-awareness is an important part of the process of making any change.
If you don’t pay enough attention to your actions, you won’t be able to ensure that you live up to your ideals."

"Each week, perform a quick review. Ask yourself if your actions during the past week were congruent with your ideals, values, and goals.

For example, if my goal is to become a calmer, more understanding person, each week (or each day), I’ll ask myself if I exuded those emotions or let myself go — and in both cases, specifically when I did so, and how and why.

"Knowing when you make mistakes will help you avoid them in the future and encourage further improvement.
Don’t focus on mistakes alone, though.

For motivational purposes, it’s also important to think about when you did live up to your ideals and feel proud of your progress.
Implement self-monitoring and periodic reviews in your routine, and you’ll increase your chances of making a new change stick. If you don’t evaluate your behavior, you’ll make everything harder."

My take on this:
Know thyself, o reader!
And thou shall be the master of thy self.
(Sounds like word play...but it's true)

Now, let me share my interesting discussion with ChatGPT on the topic of why we escape.
It went like this:

Me: Is there a term known as "escapism"?

ChatGPT: Yes, escapism is real.
It’s when someone mentally checks out of reality—often through fantasy, entertainment, or distractions—to avoid pain, stress, or uncomfortable emotions.

It can be harmless in small doses, but when it becomes a habit, it can keep a person from facing or healing what truly matters.

Me: Really? 🤔
That's interesting
Let's do a deep dive into this...
Do you mean that escapism can be likened to a drug?

ChatGPT: Yes, very much so. Escapism can act like a psychological drug—it gives temporary relief or pleasure, but doesn't solve the root issue.

The more someone relies on it, the harder it becomes to confront real-life discomfort. Like a drug, it soothes... but it also numbs. And over time, it can create emotional dependency, leaving the person detached from growth, healing, or meaningful change.

Me: What are the various forms of escapism?

ChatGPT: Escapism can show up in many subtle ways—excessive screen time, binge-watching, overworking, fantasy daydreaming, constant socializing, even obsessive reading or gaming.

Some escape through sleep, others through emotional detachment. It’s not always harmful, but when it becomes a reflex to avoid facing inner discomfort, that’s when it becomes a trap.

Me: Hmm 🤔
What do you mean by "a reflex to avoid facing inner discomfort"?

ChatGPT: I mean when your mind automatically reaches for distraction anytime a hard emotion surfaces—like sadness, anxiety, or loneliness.

Instead of sitting with those feelings or processing them, you instinctively numb them with something—entertainment, noise, or busyness. It becomes a habit, a go-to escape hatch from anything uncomfortable inside.

Me: Does this happen in stages?
And when does it get critical?

ChatGPT: Yes, it often happens in stages. It might start subtly—scrolling your phone every time you're alone with your thoughts. Then it becomes frequent—avoiding rest, silence, or reflection entirely.

It gets critical when the escape replaces growth—when you're stuck in cycles of distraction, disconnected from yourself, and unable to face real-life challenges or emotions without fleeing.
That's when healing becomes urgent.

Me: How does healing come in?

ChatGPT: Healing begins when you stop running—when you pause and gently turn inward. It comes through awareness, acceptance, and choosing presence over distraction.

It's not about cutting off every form of escape immediately, but slowly creating space to feel, reflect, and process. You build tolerance for discomfort, and in doing so, you reconnect with your real self. That's where true strength and peace begin.

Me: You said, "when you stop running"...
Essentially, escapism means we're running away from something, right?

ChatGPT: Exactly. Escapism is often a quiet kind of running—away from pain, fear, emptiness, or even past experiences we haven't fully processed.

It’s not always obvious, but it’s a way our mind tries to protect us. The challenge is, what we avoid often stays with us until we turn and face it.

Me: "we turn and face it"....
The opposite of escapism...what is it called?

ChatGPT: The opposite of escapism is "confrontation"—but not in a harsh way. It's often called "acceptance" or "mindful presence". It means facing your thoughts, feelings, and reality with openness instead of avoiding or numbing them. It's the path to growth and healing.

Me: Act like you're an expert in escapism and give advice to someone who does it on the extreme.

ChatGPT: If you’re caught in extreme escapism, it’s like trying to numb pain by drowning it—but the pain only hides, not heals.
My advice? Start small. Find moments to gently face what you’re avoiding, even if it feels uncomfortable.

Build awareness without judgment. Remember, healing isn’t about forcing yourself to confront everything at once—it’s about creating safe space to slowly reconnect with yourself. Reach out for support if it feels overwhelming. You don’t have to face it alone. The freedom you seek lies not in running away, but in learning to be present with your true feelings.

Me: Can you give some action steps as a conclusion to this discussion on escapism?

ChatGPT: Absolutely. Begin by noticing when you’re escaping—whether through distractions, avoidance, or habits.

Then, create small daily moments to pause and check in with your feelings, even if it’s just for a minute. Practice self-compassion; don’t judge yourself for wanting to escape. Reach out to trusted people or professionals who can support your journey.

Finally, gently explore what’s beneath your urge to escape, knowing that healing is a gradual process, not a race.

Healing...
I can think of no better conclusion than that.
I'm sure you know understand what you do when you scroll on social media for hours.
I learned a lot too.

Thanks for reading 🎀
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My name is Duon Ada, as always
I'm documenting 2025,
And I'll see you tomorrow
Ciao 💕