From the Desk of Kelley: An Introduction to Healthy Escapism
Fighting off the Sunday Scaries
Ever find yourself tearing up while watching a movie because you just got gut punched with a truth you’ve been suppressing in real life? Well, you’re not alone. In fact, I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was watching. It was “movie Sunday,” a term my husband and I coined as something new we were implementing to help me fight off the Sunday Scaries, and we were watching The Life List on Netflix. At this point we had pretty much decided it was time for me to quit my job. So much so that we had been prepping for quite a while. I’m talking resignation letter written and financial plan in place. The only problem was I was stalling on setting a date. After watching that movie, I set the date within 2 weeks. There’s just something about when a movie or any piece of art that offers a new perspective and really drives a point home for you in a way you may have never considered before. Needless to say, while I was originally watching that movie to escape reality it brought me face to face with it. That’s the beauty of escapism.
Escapism Gets a Bad Rep
You may or may not have heard of the term escapism. It’s something we all have or do engage in, but it often gets a bad rap. According to the American Psychological Association this is the definition of escapism:
Escapism has lots of negative connotations. It can become particularly worrisome if it’s used to avoid dealing with the things we have going on in real life. Some downsides to escapism include neglected responsibilities, relationships, and wellbeing. These can all lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression, emotional numbing, addictive behaviors, lost time and growth. So yes, there are some downsides to escapism, but what about healthy escapism? What if we used escapism to engage in other worlds in order to see things from a different perspective, recharge our mental and emotional batteries, or to tap into joy? That’s what I’d like to explore with you here on the blog in my From the Desk of Kelley series, because I think healthy escapism is a tool that we all have access to that can allow us to navigate both challenges and opportunities. In this series I’ll share movies, books, and other activities and how they can have a meaningful impact on your mood and well-being.
Healthy Escapism
So, what exactly is healthy escapism? If escapism tends to be a more reactive response, then I would say that healthy escapism lends itself to a more proactive response. Escapism is about avoidance from reality, but healthy escapism is about brief intentional breaks from reality to recharge so that you can return to reality renewed and ready to engage again with more insight and inspiration. Healthy escapism can foster healthy mental well-being, emotional regulation, self-discovery, self-growth, and of course entertainment. Whether you realize it or not you may already be engaging in healthy escapism. Think about your comfort shows, your mood driven playlists, and your favorite hobbies and how much of an impact they have on your life. When engaged with intentionally these could be considered healthy escapism.
The Power of Mood and Media
Is it safe to say that millennials grew up on books and tv? I mean we had the Book It program and the Scholastic Book Fair. I lived in the library, and sometimes I’d read 2 to 3 chapter books a day. We had book series like Goosebumps and The Baby Sitters Club. When our teachers didn’t want to teach, they rolled in the tv cart and played a movie. We had a Monday night lineup with The Fresh Prince and Blossom as well as a Friday night lineup with Family Matters and Step by Step. Disney VHS tapes were like gold back in the day. I cannot tell you how many times I watched Aladdin, A Goofy Movie, Pocahontas, and The Lion King on repeat. When we got a little older music videos became our lives! We had Access Granted, Making the Video, 106thand Park, and TRL. Media was literally a way of life. I think that’s why many of us still go back to the books, movies, and shows of our childhood now. That was media that created safe spaces for us. The nostalgia gives us a brief sense of safety in a world that feels like constant chaos. This is where my love for media began. Now as an adult with degrees in Psychology, Social Work, and Public Health I get to view media through a different lens. What I once thought of as entertainment I now see and use it as the tool that it is.
What to Expect
Everything we consume affects our mood. We often choose movies, songs, books, and activities based on the mood we may be in. Through this series we’ll explore how different genres/themes can evoke different emotional states, and I’ll provide some curated recommendations based on your desired mood. The focus will be why a certain type of media or activity may be good for you right now. Ultimately, I hope to be able to help you use healthy escapism as an intentional and positive force for well-being and self-growth. We’re dumping doom scrolling in 2025.
Now I’d love to hear from you! Think about the last time a movie lifted your spirits or helped you make a big life decision. What movie was it? Not a movie lover? What’s the last book that lifted your spirits or helped you grow? I can’t wait to read your responses. If you’re too shy to comment don’t hesitate to email me your responses at [email protected]. Stay tuned for our first dive into a mood-boosting escape.
