Are you an escapist?

[neoontime]

Yes, this site is some of. It may be considered somewhat unhealthy but really everyone has their escape and really its needed to somewhat stay sane. It's as healthy as taking a break now and then.

 

[Imp_Emissary]

Yes, I am an escapist. I don't see anything wrong at all with using games to "get away from it all" now and again.

As long as it doesn't get in the way of your real life, and doesn't hurt anyone else I think you can do whatever you want to relax.
For me, that means playing some video games.

 

[King of Asgaard]

I give it my best shot, but sometimes it's just not possible to completely disconnect from your real life worries and spend a couple of hours mowing down legions of the deceased or possessed.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Not quite since I living in the middle of nowhere so I don't exactly got a social life over here. I just use gaming as a way to escape boredom.

 

[Trololo Punk]

I remember when this counseling group of sorts came to my public school in grade 8(they were there to teach self worth and being kind to others). One day,I told them that video games allow me to relax and get all the stress out. They automatically assumed I meant shooting games and told me that instead of playing games, I should go see a doctor.

Anyways. Video games,books,TV. It all helps me get the stress out of mind.

 

[Baldr]

Sadly(for the sake of the website) and sorta glad I am not an escapist. Most of my life and livelihood surround games, they are the major source of stress in my life, overall I'd say it is not a bad problem to have.

 

[FootloosePhoenix]

Before I met my best friend/boyfriend, fictional characters and games in general helped to fill the void of loneliness I consistently felt. Back then I would have certainly called myself an escapist. Now though it's different because when I feel cruddy, I don't want to play video games or otherwise find something to distract myself with. I just want to go tackle whatever problem I'm facing or at least think about it until I'm able to view it in a more manageable light. I can't enjoy myself unless I feel at least okay.

 

[Dragoon]

Yup I'd say I am an escapist, the last few years of my life have sucked and video games are the one thing I can use to get away from it all. But now that my life is getting better I've noticed I'm playing less games.

 

[Jedamethis]

Well, I wouldn't say escape. I'm lucky in that I quite enjoy my life really. So I would say I play games to experience another world, not to escape into it.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I've always played video games, written my own stories, daydreamed or read books to escape the dullness that is an inherent feature of routine. It doesn't mean I'm unhappy, it just means I need something more interesting to think about than my next day of work lifting pallets with a forklift.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

Well I had a choice between video games and imagination or sex and drugs. Tried mixing the two up they clash more than you'd realize. So Yes I am an escapists.

 

[Yopaz]

Yeah, I think I do, but it's no less healthy than watching TV in my mind.
I don't really think it's a denial of reality, just a way to unwind from it for a while.
I'd argue that having no escapism is probably more unhealthy.

Well said, books, movies, TV or games are things to help us distance ourselves from stress, which is probably a good thing since stress can really do bad things to your behavior, sleep pattern and health, both mental and physical. It's when you start to distance yourself from life that it's a problem. Not meeting friends, not undertaking education or work and simply distance yourself from important aspects.

 

[Jolly Co-operator]

I mainly use games for entertainment. For actual escapism, I usually turn to books.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

I kinda did a few years back when my social life was...well, non-existent. I think that's the reason I don't play as many games as before, seeing as I nowadays have a very rich social life and don't have any need for escapism.

 

[OneOfTheMichael's]

It's the main reason I play games, as escapism from life. I find myself pretty dissatisfies with the world in general, and I play games to get away from that.

Is that healthy? Probably not. But at this point I don't really give a damn any more.

THAT....That explains my life.
Thank you for posting that which I couldn't explain any better.

 

[Bvenged]

I play videogames because my life is too awesome.

Nah, I just thoroughly enjoy them. I'm highly interested in the industry, but not so from a career standpoint. I'd like to work with games, but it's too cut-throat. I'd rather job satisfaction,which is something you can't really get if your game is getting axed, or if I ended up having to work in the free-to-play market. Or as a monkey-programmer. Nu-uh, couldn't do that.

But yeah, I'm ridiculously attached to everything "videogames", but I'm no escapee. I enjoy where my life is going and I have enjoyed, for the most part, where it has been so far. Few bumps and shit in the near future I suspect, but that's part of the challenge of life! No point escaping it, grab it by the fucking horns and show everyone that it's your bastard life, that you're in control and no matter how turbulent things will get, nothing will throw you off from being on top

bloody hell, I just motivated myself.

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

I guess I used to, but it was more to do with the fact that games were fun to play and become immersed in the story. Now it's entirely for a great story and the fun, it's not as if I have anything in my life that I'm upset about that I can't change so I see no reason to escape from it.

 

[Tuesday Night Fever]

Am I an escapist? Absolutely.

It's easier and more productive for me to vent all of my anger and frustrations into a game than to rage at the people around me. If I get angry I'd rather take some downtime to vent in a game then re-approach the thing bothering me in a calmer state, instead of trying to deal with the thing bothering me while I'm still pissed off. I do think that's healthy.

As for when I'm not angry or frustrated about something specific... yeah... I'm still an escapist. When I have free time I'd still rather be in a game or watching a movie than 'enjoying the real world.' Frankly, I'm unimpressed by the real world. Call me emo or what-have-you, but it's the truth. At least with games and movies I can surrender myself to worlds that I actually do like for a while. Is that healthy? Probably not. But frankly, our world isn't too healthy either.

 

[Jedoro]

Everyone's got some kind of escapism from their life, whatever form it takes. Even if it's just imagination, we've all got something to distract us. I'd say it's healthy, because if we spent all our time thinking about our daily lives, we'd find more and more things to dislike, and that would be pretty depressing.

 

[karcentric]

I certainly do, if I'm feeling pissed at one of my friends I'll play something to cool off, or if I want a little time on my own I might play something.