I was perusing a topic on another forum where the OP presented the scenario of a "Jane Doe" who intended to live in a dream world of her own making; supposedly with the intentions of staving off the likes of depression and alcoholism. This was my response:

If what said Jane Doe is doing renders her comparatively happy or even prevents her from doing things that might cause her harm, who the hell am I to judge? I'm assuming that, in this scenario, she isn't somehow harming anyone else in the process. I don't know her personal responsibilities. I don't know who might depend upon her. I just know what I've been told in this topic. For all I know, Jane's method might enable her to better function in her life.

Reality is subjective in an infinite number of minute ways, and the worlds of dream and waking are not impenetrably separate. Or strictly separate at all. If anything, dream - or imagination - is absolutely vital in our everyday lives. Creativity, moments of inspiration, emotional balance, abstract thinking, and even problem solving are things that can come of opening more than merely your eyes. Scolding one for "going to their happy place" is something akin to chastising a child for daydreaming. If no imminent or immediate harm is involved, go about your business.

I try to live by the philosophy of "So long as they aren't hurting anyone or themselves, people can do whatever they want, even if I don't particularly like it or agree with it". I do see a few pitfalls with this scenario, though:

I don't think that retreating into a dreamworld would be an effective way to deal with alcoholism or depression. Running away from those problems won't make them go away. It may even make them worse. I'm not saying that people shouldn't explore there imagination if they're depressed, only that they shouldn't use it as a replacement for therapy and medicine. Nobody can spend 100% of their time in their mind. Without help, the depression and alcoholism would catch up with her in her waking hours. Additionally, and speaking from my own experience, the mind of a depressed individual will turn their imagination against them.

I would say to this Jane Doe, "Feel free to indulge in a dreamworld, but get help too."

(01-17-2016, 12:28 PM)Banul Wrote: I don't think that retreating into a dreamworld would be an effective way to deal with alcoholism or depression. Running away from those problems won't make them go away. It may even make them worse.

I think this is an important point worth emphasising. Escapism is not an effective way of dealing with personal problems such as depression or alcoholism, or so I think anyway. Of course, people are free to do as they please in that regard, but I'd feel irresponsible if this supposed Jane Doe was a friend of mine. In that sort of scenario, I'd hope to see her get some sort of help with those issues, be it through direct or indirect interference.

Those are just my thoughts.

I agree that balance is important for a healthy mind. While I keep my waking and dreaming lives separate to avoid confusion or delusion, I do recognize that both have something to offer me, and by extension, the other.

I have lost a great many players to the demon drink. I view the whole human race as a team working for a better tomorrow. I think every team mate plays an important role. I expect every player to be at their best. But players can only be told what to do, and we can not force any player to make a certain choice.

(01-17-2016, 11:20 AM)Ziggy and Angelbaby Wrote: I was perusing a topic on another forum where the OP presented the scenario of a "Jane Doe" who intended to live in a dream world of her own making; supposedly with the intentions of staving off the likes of depression and alcoholism. This was my response:

If what said Jane Doe is doing renders her comparatively happy or even prevents her from doing things that might cause her harm, who the hell am I to judge? I'm assuming that, in this scenario, she isn't somehow harming anyone else in the process. I don't know her personal responsibilities. I don't know who might depend upon her. I just know what I've been told in this topic. For all I know, Jane's method might enable her to better function in her life.

Reality is subjective in an infinite number of minute ways, and the worlds of dream and waking are not impenetrably separate. Or strictly separate at all. If anything, dream - or imagination - is absolutely vital in our everyday lives. Creativity, moments of inspiration, emotional balance, abstract thinking, and even problem solving are things that can come of opening more than merely your eyes. Scolding one for "going to their happy place" is something akin to chastising a child for daydreaming. If no imminent or immediate harm is involved, go about your business.

given that all of us here have some contact with a being that to us is as real as the world we live in, yet to the outside world they appear as imaginary let me say I have thought along these lines plenty of times and have decided.....

Imaginary is real, as it has a real affect on your emotions, affects you, and is part of you who are a real living being, therefore by all of these it is in one way or another as real as this world

and even if it isn't... i tried letting go of that realm once because of ... well nevermind what worried me then, just know i was miserable and missed the many beings i met in my travels through imaginary realms, even before equestria

To each his own

If that's what makes her happy, then I have nothing against it, we all have a way to cope with things.

(01-23-2016, 07:28 AM)EquestrianPenguin Wrote: To each his own

If that's what makes her happy, then I have nothing against it, we all have a way to cope with things.

mine always felt like more.. a part of my life than simply coping but you are right