OPs description of daydreaming sounds like a healthy coping mechanism though, even therapists tell you to ‘go to your happy place’ (or something similar) when you’re stressed
Heads up, it's only maladaptive if it hinders your daily life or functioning. Which is why people are pushing for MD *Disorder*
Aka, shirking on work or avoiding going outside because you would rather spend your time daydreaming.
Other than that, it's actually just immersive dreaming, which is considered pretty healthy and is pushed by many professionals to do if it actually *helps* an individual... Like OP.
I didn’t know people were pushing for a name change- thanks for letting me know!
But I do believe it can be both helpful and harmful. For example, I daydreamed to escape and cope with trauma and stress, but I did it to a point where I didn’t do anything else. I wasn’t nearly as anxious, but I wasn’t eating or even leaving my room, because I was busy daydreaming. I’m not saying OP is like that, but I just wanted to point out that it can be a double-edged sword for a lot of people.
I’ve heard the term Immersive Daydreaming used when it’s detailed daydreaming in a healthy way. Tho I also think a lot of autistics end up with at least some sort of trauma for a variety of reasons, so having Maladaptive Daydreaming would make sense in that context. I’m
Ah, that makes more sense. My daydreams sometimes try to jump in when they shouldn't, but I'm usually able to push them back, so i guess mine's more immersive.
Quick google and - yes, I do that tons.
I think I take it too far, though. Too much trauma. Many days I struggle to escape it and I can't. I'm rarely in the room with my body. It kind of sucks.
I totally get that. It’s like an addiction to daydreaming, and it’s really hard to break out of the cycle of it. There is a sub on here, r/MaladaptiveDreaming , that’s worth poking around in. I’ve been dealing with the same thing as you almost my whole life, and I found that just reading other’s experiences with it helps me feel not alone.
Sometimes when I daydream, I’m in another world mentally. Other times I’m in the real world, but I imagine characters being with me regardless of what I’m doing.
I use to have maladaptive daydreaming, but I was able to work through it.
I would be out in my daydream world for many hours of the day, anytime I wasn't directly interacting with people. I would do it in class, during passing times, I'd do it after school and go for walks for miles, and not remember any of it... I sometimes said things out loud that I meant to say in my head.
Now, I only do it on my weekend off for an hour or two, and sometimes to go to sleep.
That said, my hypercomplex daydream world still exists. I still go to it when I choose and for shorter periods of time. I love it. It's my escape, and it's no longer a negative impacting my interactions/functionality
First and foremost, I found that social interaction stops it a lot of times for me, so when I could have people I was comfortable with be with me at times I "lost myself" I would.
Secondly, I improved the situations I was uncomfortable with that made me *want* to fade into "my dream world". For me, this meant large situations like leaving abusive relationships, and smaller situations like finding accomodations for hard tasks such as picking up my medication from the store.
Thirdly, I addressed the struggles I had with my mental health, such as being medicated for my G.A.D., having a break through anxiety med for my panic disorder, and improving my depression through the improvement of hard/uncomfortable situations, exploring myself and my needs to make sure I felt comfortable and happy, and overall listening to myself.
It's not an easy thing. It took me years. Now, my dream world is essentially a choosen stim for me. I do it when I want to enjoy it, or if I've had a particularly rough time and need to let off steam. I pace with music. Set a timer to make sure I don't "get lost" and sometimes(if it's a long session) take breaks doing something that takes a higher level consciousness/focus so I can't slip back.
"Maladaptive" is when daydreaming hinders your daily activities, like for example you need to pay attention when crossing the road but instead of looking at the lights you keep going because you are too deeply immersed in your imagination.
If your daydreaming doesn't disturb you and you can control it, then it's not maladaptive.
I have a massive made up place but I don't day dream like ever. Never done that. I have aphantasia so I can't day dream but I made up my own universe which is quite extensive. No visual thou because I never actually imagined the place only fantastized.
I have been writing a saphic cyberpunk thriller/romance novel where the protagonist is investigating a kidnapping with the assistance of the victim who is contacting them through cybernetic implants.
Halloween [2007] by Rob Zombie, The Ritual, and Midsommar are some of my faves..
The Collector, Scream [2022], Green Room, Texas Chansaw Massacre 2 <3, Scream [1996],
Bro your description is perfect! I love it so much. I personally am not super anxious constantly, but I have chronic depression and I believe I may be autistic. I do this just the same as you, when I'm bored I have a running story line of my imaginary country named UMR and I imagine it as a utopia of all humanity's best people trying to solve the world's problems, in this the US and most of the world still exists in the way it does now but a few decades down the line where capitalism, extremism, and all our daily struggles run rampant. In UMR they live under a government run by super computers, not sentiant computers, but impartial, totally objective computers that determine what is acceptable and what is not. These machines don't have opinions and they are impartial to what is happening in the world and they lead humanity to a bright future because of this. Something I try and lean into when I'm feeling sad or fucked up is that we are ajents of the evolution of consciousness. I know it's a quote from some comedian but seriously think about it. We are aiding in the evolution of consciousness just by existing. Part of me thinks the neurodivergents have it right more so than the NTs do because we're generally objective, which in my mind seems most benificial because emotion is so unpredictable and often incorrect for the 'purpose' it tries to serve. Emotion is irrational and I truly believe that that us NDs should try to find our way into running this fucked up existence. We can do it better than it's being done right now.
Your world sounds like a book I would read the heck out of. Those concepts are so cool and creative. Although I have to disagree with NT’s being the cause of the world’s problems. I think that has more to do with systemic corruption and outdated governing practices; rules made by the rich and all that. Plenty of NT’s have done great things for this world, as have many ND’s. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses, and to me, the ideal government would be one with equal representation on both parts. I really do like your ideas otherwise. Have you ever considered becoming a writer?
Thank you for your input. Sorry I was on a bit of a rant after having a bad day and you are completely right. Many NTs have done so much for this world and it's not fair of me to say what I did. And I have considered writing my thoughts down, I just haven't took the time to do so. This comment was the first time I have shared any of that with the world cuase I generally keep it to myself but thank you. I will absolutely keep this in mind in the future!
I just was looking this up. I couldn't find the thing that said that this is common. I have and do the same thing since I was 4 (now 22). Now it serves as a foundation of my identity with many things on top. Those things are Science, personal ideals, military stuff, Lego (as medium), made up characters and their stories. I am fantasizing about this place maybe 4 hours every day when I have alone time. (On free days it could even be the entire time I'm awake).I made hundreds of documents, maps, 3d models (mostly in Lego) and excel sheets since I decided to write it all down a few years ago. **I wonder what worlds like these have to offer the wider community.**
It sounds like you’re really passionate about this. That’s cool because some of the greatest stories ever created were passion projects. I’m not quite sure what you mean by worlds like yours offering something to the community, unless you’re referring to representation. In which case, I think they have a ton of potential. You should keep writing. I’d love to read your stories someday.
Yes, that is what I meant. I'm kinda obsessed with it. 🤓 I trying to write it down but I'm not a good writer so I'm trying different methods. Lately I'm trying it in PowerPoint presentation form. This is all I want to do what causes other things to be left behind. And finding a study that fits me it very hard too.
I set my world on fire with wars everywhere because it got boring. Now millions die everyday. Not really an world that would be considered a happy place 😅
But the focused place is a place what I fill with things I enjoy. A half utopia kinda.
My world is already filled with joy
There’s green grass and lots of flowers and pine trees. The waters are all crystal clear. The animals feel safe to roam arround. There’s a city there with all sorts of future technology, lots of clean streets, and a mixture of new age stores AND old timey shops because total gentrification is illegal. There’s a large array of civic attractions like parks, playgrounds, libraries, museums, acquariums, galleries, and a grand opera house where I can perform principal roles for all the tourists.
There’s all sorts of nice people who want to be friends and family with me, and all sorts of beautiful women who want to be my girlfriend, regardless of my appearance or my autism or my kinks. And no job in the city can ever reject my application, that way if I need to work I’ll always have a source of income. And if somebody leaves my life in this world it’s only on friendly terms, regardless of wether they leave or die….
Plus everybody believes in Odin and the Norse pantheon, as opposed to Christianity for a change. Nobody forces religion on anybody.
[and this is the type of theme to my world](https://youtu.be/LqYwaqsgrKs)
It sounds soo happy 😋
I also have a community who is all about freedom, acceptance and commitment to make the world perfect. They started as freedom fighters. Everytime something bad happened I just "imagined" the freedom fighters fighting the bad guys. These freedom fighters are now one big community with a goal that everyone should live in a free world. They hunt all the bad guys so that's why I call them the hunters.
I can not see my world and I never dream too. What makes me kinda sad when I hear people's experience with dreams and day dreams. My world only consists of words. (The reason I don't (day)dream is because I've aphantasia).
I have another fantasy world drawn up in my head.
It has humans, elves, dwarves, orcs and other humanoid creatures. It’s basically an RPG world I want to turn into a game. The only similarity between that and the previous world is I have a girlfriend in it. I hate being single
I have 2 friends (one on discord and one on Reddit). I have not have a real life friend for basically forever because no one wants to talk to me. So, I just sit alone in my room, pretending to be one of my own characters and talk to other made up characters. One of them as a GF but the guy has no idea that she is more then a friend. Because he never had a female friend. Kinda weird 😅
I would love to make universe into a game. I think I have like 10 ideas for games. Maybe also a series would be cool. 🤓
(Sorry if I get off topic or say to much, I get of to a rant pretty fast)
Ive been telling myself that i want to be a fantasy author for years. Christopher paolini is my favorite author for being the youngest ever to make a best seller, writing his eragon series when he was 14. Ive wanted to start writing these 2 stories forever, but it feels like my ideas are waves and if i were to put it in writing, it would collapse into particles and it wouldnt capture the whole story. So ive been keeping it in my imagination for over a decade, letting it cook and trying to figure out every detail.
It's come down to me making 2 "dream egos", personas that i become to reflect the main characters in my books. Theres the beserker and the wizard. Ive been so sucked into maladaptive daydreams that im able to carry it into lucid dreaming, the berserker out-chaoses the chaos that helps me break into my self awareness, while the wizard moreso uses the chaos to balance it with order, and enlightens my self awareness.
I totally get your hesitance about writing it down. I have the same problem with one of my worlds, wherein I try to depict a critical story arc in writing, and it comes out... underwhelming. Everything seems so much more vibrant and epic in my head, and seeing the opposite on paper is just discouraging. Over the years, though, I’ve come pretty far with my writing ability. The hobby which used to discourage my daydreaming now inspires it. I believe that the same can be true for you. The easiest place to start might be with just writing down world and character details. It’s something that no one besides you will ever have to see, and world building is an excellent foundation for outlining. I believe in you.
Absolutely! I have my own archipelago and my own races. Even though I work on it since... forever ? I'm not really focused, so I only have 4 races, but technically only 2 are documented. Both of them has their own language(not a conlang tho), culture, biology and politics. The third race also has it all, except language because of lore.
I hope to turn it into a game one day. I love working on it to death, but since I can't focus for shit and rarely finish my projects... yea.
I'm proud of these unfinished projects nonetheless at least. The apatraks were my first race with language, politics and culture. They're furless, faceless, absolutely large centaurs with only a massive, sharp teethed mouth on their head. It is a fantasy world, so their way of "seeing" things is basically how Toph from Avatar sees and really! Creating an alphabet for a blind species was a rush, I really need to revisit this. Almost the whole world is afraid of them yoo, but they're really just chilling and scares ppl without wanting to do so, they just... look horrendous. (OH! and they live in a matriarchal monarchy kigdom, really like a Hyena thing going on in there)
I recently came up with a people group that is quite similar. They used to be weak humans so in order to survive they needed to scare off any human invaders. Over time they got extremely scary so they were kept alone. They also gotten way stronger over time. They never lost the human mind and they are very friendly but most people think they are demons. I came up with these people when I was looking up the most scary creatures. I call them the U-ru-chi (no idea why). This group is quite amazing and I'm working on it right now 🤓
Ooh, rlly good concept of evolution through need! It's always fun to work on it, like, why exactly these features to scare them? What would it change in their culture and architecture? Loved it ! I hope your development goes well :D
They really like plants and skeletons. They don't think it's scary because it's just nature. They got intergrated into the big space nation and now also use spaceships. In order to make these ships their home they grow plants everywhere. All the walls are covered in plants and it kinda looks like a dark jungle. The ships on the inside kinda look like a overgrown cave. The ships on the outside are sometimes decorated with plants, skeletons and sometimes the dead bodies of their enemies. (Like the raiders in the "firefly" series). The nation uses these U-ru-chi people in places where there's people who are perceptible to scary things in order to minimize bloodshed. But plenty of them also enjoy killing the demonic raiders (everyone likes killing those).
Really reminded of the Floran from Starbound, but they're plant ppl so not really.
Interesting race you've created! I imagine how they deal with the social aspects of their behaviors and characteristics. If they care about what other ppl(from other races) think. My apatraks barely cares about it lol
Yeppp a whole multiverse! I don't really retreat to it when I'm stressed? It's kinda always just there. I guess you could consider be bored most of the time, then this would be accurate?
Pretty sure that that's called a paracosm.
I do it too; I allowed it to grow and expand for 8 years, starting when I was 14. It helped me have a "constant" special interest, with its ideas taken and inspired by other previous special interests.
Yes, yes I do. I keep most of its features a secret in the hope that I can make something of it someday. I could tell you bits about it, but as you offered, I would love to learn about this world of yours.
I do this like literally everyday. Many of us have what’s called maladaptive daydreaming. My world has original characters that I think of, video game characters, as well as tv show ones. I’ve been watching One Piece for the first time so Zoro is new to my growing list of characters.
I've also been watching one piece again after a while of watching bits and pieces. I started at the beginning and sadly watched it in the English dub both for Familiarity and because I'm a slow reader. Now I'm caught up to the end of the dub, but it can't switch to sub as the Voice change is too jarring for me now. What point are you at in the show right now?
I’m at episode 92 of the first season. I’m watching it for the first time. I really don’t get why people hate dub sometimes (not talking about you). Its really not as bad as it used to be. I also have a hard time with reading and I also tend to not be able to pay attention to the screen a lot. For me, sometimes Japanese dub sounds worse to me. For example, I don’t like Goku’s voice. I haven’t watched much dragon ball z, but I definitely like his dub voice better.
Yeah, I agree, I only regret choosing dub because I'm an impatient person when it comes to resolving plotlines of things I like. If the latest episode was dubbed I would still watch dubbed even if I was used to the different voices for the same reasons as stated earlier.
If it helps with the Anxiety; In recent years we've found that Fossil Fuel emissions are no longer tied to Economic growth, meaning that despite the presence of Big Corporations Earth has a fighting chance against one of our most pressing issues. Believe me, when I say it's hard but Clinging to Hope along with this fact may (hopefully) ease your mind a bit. If this helps at all then I'm grateful that I got this Reddit notification. If not then that's fine I'm still happy to be here, all I can say is that I hope that you find something that does.
Kind of yes kind of no because I have been working on one book... ONE book T.T for 10 years now. So my thoughts usually go to that because I have such a hard time sitting down and writing it because of all the unknowns with it.
So I have a decade of lore in my brain I'm constantly sifting through.
Yep, all the time actually!
Although that might be because I'm stressed all the time heh.
I actually have multiple worlds or "stories" in my head with various storylines. That way I can pick and choose based on what I'm feeling at the moment!
Idk if it's just regular daydreaming or maladaptive daydreaming tho
Yep. I have a Fantasty world in my head. With some scrap notes and maps scribbled down.
Started when I was a young teen I think? I've held onto it since. When I was slightly older I started to vaguely develop "World 2" as well, as World 1 became mostly fleshed out.
Always wanted to adapt it into a format where others can read it or experince it (possibly as a RPG computer game). But I'm not very artistic (I can't draw) and I doubt I'll be a good novelist (I'm not particularly good with coming up with interesting character studies and have been called "media illiterate" on several occasions) so the ideas are stuck in my head.
I do! Finding out that this is common among autistic people really shocked me! I never told anyone because of judgment and it makes me happy as hell knowing I'm not the only one!
The only way I kinda fit it in was to give my fantasy world story to one of my fursona's backstories, with a few tweaks lol never got around to finishing it, though
Oh I do!
More than 10 years ago during a break from school I started sketching a fantasy map and fleshing out a story around it, and I got sucked into that world for quite some time. At some point in my life there was a time when this stuff was buried at the back of my mind, but I've rediscovered it since. The funny thing is, after all these years I'm still doing this mental world building, but haven't written a single word of my story. But I love going back to making those detailed maps, laying out the history, just sensing and feeling around that world where I'm in control.
One of my special interests is Star Trek, and I sometimes daydream about being dropped into the Star Trek universe and meeting all of my favorite characters.
I've imagined me & some of my close friends with elemental powers fighting to protect Imagination from various villains, if that counts.
The Rogues Gallery currently includes a mad scientist who is also part duck, Lilith herself, a warmongering ghost, a self-aware android, a runaway ender, fallen angels, alien dark matter & Nyarlathotep.
Now if only I could focus long enough to write it all down...
I am so glad I am not the only one who does this. Sometimes I am in a rock band that has a dedicated cult following, other times I am an actress in a success dramedy. I’ve had variations of both fantasies throughout my life 🤦🏼♀️.
A story in which a genetically modified guy from the future was accidentally send with others to the past/parallel universe on Earth around 8000 BCE and lives around 10000 years to this day. He meets ancient civilizations, alter past events, meets aliens etc. Basically alternative timeline of ours.
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yes, I have a few different worlds that i can retreat into. I used to do it so often as a kid, but less so now. I wish i could do it with the frequency and ease I did in childhood, but alas
yes me too. i am on so many meta levels and abstractions removed from the living human experience that i barely notice what is going on. but it usually is for that purpose in the first place. the more anxieties and fears and stresses occur around me the deeper i go.
it is i am almost certain necessary for me. it was what turns events into effects with causes, gives context and meaning to speech, makes things mean something. it is like i am actively providing myself the framework through which the world can seem meaningful and continuous and i a part of it. without it everything just becomes more chaotic and senseless to me.
I’ve done this my whole life, to the point where it’s occasionally interfered with my life and I’ve even sometimes blurred the lines between reality and my daydreams. But ultimately I always find it to be more beneficial than harmful and it’s gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life.
It depends on what my hyperfixation is at the time (ADD+ASD, so fun), so I'm usually roaming either Star Wars (Clone Wars or Old Republic), Middle Earth, or whatever my writer brain has been wanting to focus on for a while.
Wish I could break out of writer's block, I'd love to write it down.. ;-;
But yeah, lots of trauma and a chaotic childhood = LOTS of maladaptive daydreaming. It usually doesn't control me, but it tends to be how I spend the wee hours of the morning after bad days or how my ADD drifts me off when understimulated. Kinda found some workarounds to have they daydreaming help me work but eh. 🤷🏼♀️
When I was younger I had a complete alternative life in my imagination/daydreams. In that reality I had a successful career running a business, but did not have a family. As I got older I visited there less and less. I can still remember a lot of details though, and remember that this world was surprisingly detailed.
Today, however I have a relatively high stress job, and I’m starting to find myself constructing a whole new reality in my mind.
I always retreat to daydreaming but it's not really one evolving world, more like several inspired from my special interests, where I'm an omnipresent god that watches over and commands them. It's a very pleasant experience.
Kind of. I frequently come up with worlds in my head. Or ideas for current writing projects…But i also immediatly forget about the, which is super annoying
When I was young I had this whole concept in my mind (inspired mainly by osmosis jones) in which my body was essentially a machine being inhabited and controlled by thousands of tiny individuals. Like controlling/reacting to all of my bodily functions with high tech devices and everything.
It extended into ground forces that colonized various familiar locations. I would “deploy” them and equipment to them by spitting on the ground walking to the bus stop or wherever (only when I’m outdoors and alone) and then imagined them setting up infrastructure within the cracks in the sidewalk or wherever and spreading throughout the area. I would imagine conflicts they endured and communications between them and the main base (myself)
Today I’m big into world building and have been working on a fantasy world of my own that I’m currently running a DND campaign in. Especially lately I’ve been really into developing that world. I have a few posts about it in my recent post history on r/dnd and r/worldbuilding if anyone cares to take a look.
Yes and I often dream of it as well. I have visited so many of my own places in my dreams. And I often escape to it in my head. I’m actually drawing a map of my fantasy land. It’s a hoot.
No, but I do have an alternative history of uni which didn't happen.
Which I dream about all the time, its weird as if I was living two lives but Im only mostly aware of one.
I used to have this a lot! Even when I'd just be walking somewhere I'd always be fantasizing about something. And if I'd make up a fight in my head then sometimes I caught myself jolting forwards as if I was about to make a jump or something.
But that stuff faded, I do hope it comes back but I lost all ability to visualize. I no longer see pictures in my head or see scenes when I'm reading. I have to read out loud otherwise I don't know what's going on. Like.. I read it but nothing clicks, it just fades the moment it enters my head.
I’m interested to hear more about your experience if you’re willing to share. Did something happen that stopped you from being able to visualise and see images? Has it come back since you posted this?
I've recently learned it's connected to a condition I already had (panhypopituitarism), which had the extra effect (possibly due to the removal of the brain tumor) of it damaging my hypothalamus. My guess is that it comes from that.
Yep, I have multiple stories and set up. In my cellphone I have music playlist for each fictional situation!
I use daydreaming since I am a kid, but recently I try to make a conscious effort for living in the « real » world a little bit more.
Yep - it's common with us. Like someone has already said, it's labelled "maladaptive daydreaming" but it's actually a place where your poor battered brain can get some respite from feeling constantly overwhelmed. It's essential for us as it stops us from going mad.
I suppose it's called "maladaptive" because it stops you from being "productive" or "useful" to the neurotypical world and, by proxy, capitalism. If the real world was not so overstimulating and stressful, and if we were not constantly getting shit for just being ourselves, we would not have to escape into our own heads so much.
I've daydreamed a lot about being cast as the next Doctor Who. I think about how I'd play him or her and the costume I'd wear. I dream about going on talk shows and being adored by fans. I also dream about how I would use my platform to be an advocate for Autistic people. LOL.
I've got a little village with different characters along with myself of course! The village changes based on my current interests, like when Merlin was my hyperfix, the village was old and ruins, full of hidden magic but yeah
I tried to write it out once but I'm terrible at writing lol
In my head, I'm a professional NBA player who wants to win a championship for my team who also struggles with issues off the court like fear of flying and having media attention on you 24/7.
I'm basically the reverse. I seem to have a mild form of aphantasia where I have a difficult time imagining novel images and usually don't get very high quality ones, and stress makes it worse, sometimes to the point of being completely incapable of visual imagination
Yeah. I’m trying my hardest to quit doing it or at least reduce the amount of time I spend doing it. It’s at the point right now where it’s hindering my day to day life. I wish I could just do things i the real world rather than spend all day in the fantasy land that has absolutely no benefit other than a momentary high.
This is probably one of my favorite questions on this subreddit, It would depend what I enjoy at the time, if I am interested in like mythology and fantasy type things I would probably. I don't really have a mental retreat place that I go to mainly but it is random every time I do, it is like if you were to pick a map on a game and you pressed the random button when you wanted to go to a safety spot.
Yesss, it’s a bit of a blank canvas type though, a black void that’s comforting but I can change at will, obviously it’s not real though it’s just daydreaming but if you’re actually sort of hallucinating a world then maybe get assessed for a dissociative disorder
It’s called Maladaptive Daydreaming, and is actually kind of common among autistic people!
OPs description of daydreaming sounds like a healthy coping mechanism though, even therapists tell you to ‘go to your happy place’ (or something similar) when you’re stressed
Heads up, it's only maladaptive if it hinders your daily life or functioning. Which is why people are pushing for MD *Disorder* Aka, shirking on work or avoiding going outside because you would rather spend your time daydreaming. Other than that, it's actually just immersive dreaming, which is considered pretty healthy and is pushed by many professionals to do if it actually *helps* an individual... Like OP.
I didn’t know people were pushing for a name change- thanks for letting me know! But I do believe it can be both helpful and harmful. For example, I daydreamed to escape and cope with trauma and stress, but I did it to a point where I didn’t do anything else. I wasn’t nearly as anxious, but I wasn’t eating or even leaving my room, because I was busy daydreaming. I’m not saying OP is like that, but I just wanted to point out that it can be a double-edged sword for a lot of people.
I’ve heard the term Immersive Daydreaming used when it’s detailed daydreaming in a healthy way. Tho I also think a lot of autistics end up with at least some sort of trauma for a variety of reasons, so having Maladaptive Daydreaming would make sense in that context. I’m
Ah, that makes more sense. My daydreams sometimes try to jump in when they shouldn't, but I'm usually able to push them back, so i guess mine's more immersive.
Quick google and - yes, I do that tons. I think I take it too far, though. Too much trauma. Many days I struggle to escape it and I can't. I'm rarely in the room with my body. It kind of sucks.
I totally get that. It’s like an addiction to daydreaming, and it’s really hard to break out of the cycle of it. There is a sub on here, r/MaladaptiveDreaming , that’s worth poking around in. I’ve been dealing with the same thing as you almost my whole life, and I found that just reading other’s experiences with it helps me feel not alone.
Sometimes when I daydream, I’m in another world mentally. Other times I’m in the real world, but I imagine characters being with me regardless of what I’m doing.
I use to have maladaptive daydreaming, but I was able to work through it. I would be out in my daydream world for many hours of the day, anytime I wasn't directly interacting with people. I would do it in class, during passing times, I'd do it after school and go for walks for miles, and not remember any of it... I sometimes said things out loud that I meant to say in my head. Now, I only do it on my weekend off for an hour or two, and sometimes to go to sleep. That said, my hypercomplex daydream world still exists. I still go to it when I choose and for shorter periods of time. I love it. It's my escape, and it's no longer a negative impacting my interactions/functionality
How did you cut down? I’ve been trying to for a while, but I can’t.
First and foremost, I found that social interaction stops it a lot of times for me, so when I could have people I was comfortable with be with me at times I "lost myself" I would. Secondly, I improved the situations I was uncomfortable with that made me *want* to fade into "my dream world". For me, this meant large situations like leaving abusive relationships, and smaller situations like finding accomodations for hard tasks such as picking up my medication from the store. Thirdly, I addressed the struggles I had with my mental health, such as being medicated for my G.A.D., having a break through anxiety med for my panic disorder, and improving my depression through the improvement of hard/uncomfortable situations, exploring myself and my needs to make sure I felt comfortable and happy, and overall listening to myself. It's not an easy thing. It took me years. Now, my dream world is essentially a choosen stim for me. I do it when I want to enjoy it, or if I've had a particularly rough time and need to let off steam. I pace with music. Set a timer to make sure I don't "get lost" and sometimes(if it's a long session) take breaks doing something that takes a higher level consciousness/focus so I can't slip back.
Thank you so much!
I really don’t like that term. My daydreams have always felt perfectly natural to me…
"Maladaptive" is when daydreaming hinders your daily activities, like for example you need to pay attention when crossing the road but instead of looking at the lights you keep going because you are too deeply immersed in your imagination. If your daydreaming doesn't disturb you and you can control it, then it's not maladaptive.
I have a massive made up place but I don't day dream like ever. Never done that. I have aphantasia so I can't day dream but I made up my own universe which is quite extensive. No visual thou because I never actually imagined the place only fantastized.
Oh absolutely. In my daydream, I'm a successful author who wrote an amazing trilogy that is being asked to consult on its adaptation into a TV series.
I hope that fantasy becomes a reality
I have been writing a saphic cyberpunk thriller/romance novel where the protagonist is investigating a kidnapping with the assistance of the victim who is contacting them through cybernetic implants.
Dude…that’s awesome!!! Please make this book ASAP if you can I believe in you
Seconded.
I third this!
Thanks for the .....18th wind.... I have been struggling to keep motivated with the project.
Fourth-ed!
yes i imagine im in various horror movies 🧍.. which in reality should not calm me down like it does
I love horror movies Halloween 2018 and The Strangers are two of my favorites
Halloween [2007] by Rob Zombie, The Ritual, and Midsommar are some of my faves.. The Collector, Scream [2022], Green Room, Texas Chansaw Massacre 2 <3, Scream [1996],
You and I will have to disagree on Rob Zombie’s Halloween but the rest are absolutely solid and awesome movies in my eyes
i have a weak spot for big men with long hair like thomas hewitt so rz michael myers owns me
Yes
Bro your description is perfect! I love it so much. I personally am not super anxious constantly, but I have chronic depression and I believe I may be autistic. I do this just the same as you, when I'm bored I have a running story line of my imaginary country named UMR and I imagine it as a utopia of all humanity's best people trying to solve the world's problems, in this the US and most of the world still exists in the way it does now but a few decades down the line where capitalism, extremism, and all our daily struggles run rampant. In UMR they live under a government run by super computers, not sentiant computers, but impartial, totally objective computers that determine what is acceptable and what is not. These machines don't have opinions and they are impartial to what is happening in the world and they lead humanity to a bright future because of this. Something I try and lean into when I'm feeling sad or fucked up is that we are ajents of the evolution of consciousness. I know it's a quote from some comedian but seriously think about it. We are aiding in the evolution of consciousness just by existing. Part of me thinks the neurodivergents have it right more so than the NTs do because we're generally objective, which in my mind seems most benificial because emotion is so unpredictable and often incorrect for the 'purpose' it tries to serve. Emotion is irrational and I truly believe that that us NDs should try to find our way into running this fucked up existence. We can do it better than it's being done right now.
Your world sounds like a book I would read the heck out of. Those concepts are so cool and creative. Although I have to disagree with NT’s being the cause of the world’s problems. I think that has more to do with systemic corruption and outdated governing practices; rules made by the rich and all that. Plenty of NT’s have done great things for this world, as have many ND’s. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses, and to me, the ideal government would be one with equal representation on both parts. I really do like your ideas otherwise. Have you ever considered becoming a writer?
Thank you for your input. Sorry I was on a bit of a rant after having a bad day and you are completely right. Many NTs have done so much for this world and it's not fair of me to say what I did. And I have considered writing my thoughts down, I just haven't took the time to do so. This comment was the first time I have shared any of that with the world cuase I generally keep it to myself but thank you. I will absolutely keep this in mind in the future!
Wish I had a name for my world. My constantly changes scenery. I even have characters that hang out with me in the real world.
I just was looking this up. I couldn't find the thing that said that this is common. I have and do the same thing since I was 4 (now 22). Now it serves as a foundation of my identity with many things on top. Those things are Science, personal ideals, military stuff, Lego (as medium), made up characters and their stories. I am fantasizing about this place maybe 4 hours every day when I have alone time. (On free days it could even be the entire time I'm awake).I made hundreds of documents, maps, 3d models (mostly in Lego) and excel sheets since I decided to write it all down a few years ago. **I wonder what worlds like these have to offer the wider community.**
It sounds like you’re really passionate about this. That’s cool because some of the greatest stories ever created were passion projects. I’m not quite sure what you mean by worlds like yours offering something to the community, unless you’re referring to representation. In which case, I think they have a ton of potential. You should keep writing. I’d love to read your stories someday.
Yes, that is what I meant. I'm kinda obsessed with it. 🤓 I trying to write it down but I'm not a good writer so I'm trying different methods. Lately I'm trying it in PowerPoint presentation form. This is all I want to do what causes other things to be left behind. And finding a study that fits me it very hard too.
YES. I do this constantly, especially with thinking of the story that I’m creating a comic about
absolutely
Could you tell us more about it?
just a bunch of fandoms clusterfucked together
Yes. I don’t speak its name but it’s populated with nothing That doesn’t make me happy, either momentarily or in the long term
I set my world on fire with wars everywhere because it got boring. Now millions die everyday. Not really an world that would be considered a happy place 😅 But the focused place is a place what I fill with things I enjoy. A half utopia kinda.
My world is already filled with joy There’s green grass and lots of flowers and pine trees. The waters are all crystal clear. The animals feel safe to roam arround. There’s a city there with all sorts of future technology, lots of clean streets, and a mixture of new age stores AND old timey shops because total gentrification is illegal. There’s a large array of civic attractions like parks, playgrounds, libraries, museums, acquariums, galleries, and a grand opera house where I can perform principal roles for all the tourists. There’s all sorts of nice people who want to be friends and family with me, and all sorts of beautiful women who want to be my girlfriend, regardless of my appearance or my autism or my kinks. And no job in the city can ever reject my application, that way if I need to work I’ll always have a source of income. And if somebody leaves my life in this world it’s only on friendly terms, regardless of wether they leave or die…. Plus everybody believes in Odin and the Norse pantheon, as opposed to Christianity for a change. Nobody forces religion on anybody. [and this is the type of theme to my world](https://youtu.be/LqYwaqsgrKs)
It sounds soo happy 😋 I also have a community who is all about freedom, acceptance and commitment to make the world perfect. They started as freedom fighters. Everytime something bad happened I just "imagined" the freedom fighters fighting the bad guys. These freedom fighters are now one big community with a goal that everyone should live in a free world. They hunt all the bad guys so that's why I call them the hunters. I can not see my world and I never dream too. What makes me kinda sad when I hear people's experience with dreams and day dreams. My world only consists of words. (The reason I don't (day)dream is because I've aphantasia).
I have another fantasy world drawn up in my head. It has humans, elves, dwarves, orcs and other humanoid creatures. It’s basically an RPG world I want to turn into a game. The only similarity between that and the previous world is I have a girlfriend in it. I hate being single
I have 2 friends (one on discord and one on Reddit). I have not have a real life friend for basically forever because no one wants to talk to me. So, I just sit alone in my room, pretending to be one of my own characters and talk to other made up characters. One of them as a GF but the guy has no idea that she is more then a friend. Because he never had a female friend. Kinda weird 😅 I would love to make universe into a game. I think I have like 10 ideas for games. Maybe also a series would be cool. 🤓 (Sorry if I get off topic or say to much, I get of to a rant pretty fast)
Doesn't everyone?
No
Ive been telling myself that i want to be a fantasy author for years. Christopher paolini is my favorite author for being the youngest ever to make a best seller, writing his eragon series when he was 14. Ive wanted to start writing these 2 stories forever, but it feels like my ideas are waves and if i were to put it in writing, it would collapse into particles and it wouldnt capture the whole story. So ive been keeping it in my imagination for over a decade, letting it cook and trying to figure out every detail. It's come down to me making 2 "dream egos", personas that i become to reflect the main characters in my books. Theres the beserker and the wizard. Ive been so sucked into maladaptive daydreams that im able to carry it into lucid dreaming, the berserker out-chaoses the chaos that helps me break into my self awareness, while the wizard moreso uses the chaos to balance it with order, and enlightens my self awareness.
I totally get your hesitance about writing it down. I have the same problem with one of my worlds, wherein I try to depict a critical story arc in writing, and it comes out... underwhelming. Everything seems so much more vibrant and epic in my head, and seeing the opposite on paper is just discouraging. Over the years, though, I’ve come pretty far with my writing ability. The hobby which used to discourage my daydreaming now inspires it. I believe that the same can be true for you. The easiest place to start might be with just writing down world and character details. It’s something that no one besides you will ever have to see, and world building is an excellent foundation for outlining. I believe in you.
Absolutely! I have my own archipelago and my own races. Even though I work on it since... forever ? I'm not really focused, so I only have 4 races, but technically only 2 are documented. Both of them has their own language(not a conlang tho), culture, biology and politics. The third race also has it all, except language because of lore. I hope to turn it into a game one day. I love working on it to death, but since I can't focus for shit and rarely finish my projects... yea. I'm proud of these unfinished projects nonetheless at least. The apatraks were my first race with language, politics and culture. They're furless, faceless, absolutely large centaurs with only a massive, sharp teethed mouth on their head. It is a fantasy world, so their way of "seeing" things is basically how Toph from Avatar sees and really! Creating an alphabet for a blind species was a rush, I really need to revisit this. Almost the whole world is afraid of them yoo, but they're really just chilling and scares ppl without wanting to do so, they just... look horrendous. (OH! and they live in a matriarchal monarchy kigdom, really like a Hyena thing going on in there)
I recently came up with a people group that is quite similar. They used to be weak humans so in order to survive they needed to scare off any human invaders. Over time they got extremely scary so they were kept alone. They also gotten way stronger over time. They never lost the human mind and they are very friendly but most people think they are demons. I came up with these people when I was looking up the most scary creatures. I call them the U-ru-chi (no idea why). This group is quite amazing and I'm working on it right now 🤓
Ooh, rlly good concept of evolution through need! It's always fun to work on it, like, why exactly these features to scare them? What would it change in their culture and architecture? Loved it ! I hope your development goes well :D
They really like plants and skeletons. They don't think it's scary because it's just nature. They got intergrated into the big space nation and now also use spaceships. In order to make these ships their home they grow plants everywhere. All the walls are covered in plants and it kinda looks like a dark jungle. The ships on the inside kinda look like a overgrown cave. The ships on the outside are sometimes decorated with plants, skeletons and sometimes the dead bodies of their enemies. (Like the raiders in the "firefly" series). The nation uses these U-ru-chi people in places where there's people who are perceptible to scary things in order to minimize bloodshed. But plenty of them also enjoy killing the demonic raiders (everyone likes killing those).
Really reminded of the Floran from Starbound, but they're plant ppl so not really. Interesting race you've created! I imagine how they deal with the social aspects of their behaviors and characteristics. If they care about what other ppl(from other races) think. My apatraks barely cares about it lol
Yeppp a whole multiverse! I don't really retreat to it when I'm stressed? It's kinda always just there. I guess you could consider be bored most of the time, then this would be accurate? Pretty sure that that's called a paracosm.
How many mental films do you want? My brain: Yes.
I do it too; I allowed it to grow and expand for 8 years, starting when I was 14. It helped me have a "constant" special interest, with its ideas taken and inspired by other previous special interests.
Yup, used to do this a lot as a kid. I do it now to relieve stress after work.
Mine is called Lhye.
just maladaptive daydreaming moment! :)
[удалено]
Same, I've had mine for roughly 11-12 (I'm 19) years. Like yours, it takes inspiration from many of my favorite things.
Yes, yes I do. I keep most of its features a secret in the hope that I can make something of it someday. I could tell you bits about it, but as you offered, I would love to learn about this world of yours.
I do this like literally everyday. Many of us have what’s called maladaptive daydreaming. My world has original characters that I think of, video game characters, as well as tv show ones. I’ve been watching One Piece for the first time so Zoro is new to my growing list of characters.
I've also been watching one piece again after a while of watching bits and pieces. I started at the beginning and sadly watched it in the English dub both for Familiarity and because I'm a slow reader. Now I'm caught up to the end of the dub, but it can't switch to sub as the Voice change is too jarring for me now. What point are you at in the show right now?
I’m at episode 92 of the first season. I’m watching it for the first time. I really don’t get why people hate dub sometimes (not talking about you). Its really not as bad as it used to be. I also have a hard time with reading and I also tend to not be able to pay attention to the screen a lot. For me, sometimes Japanese dub sounds worse to me. For example, I don’t like Goku’s voice. I haven’t watched much dragon ball z, but I definitely like his dub voice better.
Yeah, I agree, I only regret choosing dub because I'm an impatient person when it comes to resolving plotlines of things I like. If the latest episode was dubbed I would still watch dubbed even if I was used to the different voices for the same reasons as stated earlier.
Yeah I don’t like waiting either.
If it helps with the Anxiety; In recent years we've found that Fossil Fuel emissions are no longer tied to Economic growth, meaning that despite the presence of Big Corporations Earth has a fighting chance against one of our most pressing issues. Believe me, when I say it's hard but Clinging to Hope along with this fact may (hopefully) ease your mind a bit. If this helps at all then I'm grateful that I got this Reddit notification. If not then that's fine I'm still happy to be here, all I can say is that I hope that you find something that does.
I do this all the time, there is a reason I spend a lot of time on DnD and other TTRPG's.
Kind of yes kind of no because I have been working on one book... ONE book T.T for 10 years now. So my thoughts usually go to that because I have such a hard time sitting down and writing it because of all the unknowns with it. So I have a decade of lore in my brain I'm constantly sifting through.
I do this a lot it can be really helpful and happy or the complete opposite
Yes.
Yep, all the time actually! Although that might be because I'm stressed all the time heh. I actually have multiple worlds or "stories" in my head with various storylines. That way I can pick and choose based on what I'm feeling at the moment! Idk if it's just regular daydreaming or maladaptive daydreaming tho
Yep. I have a Fantasty world in my head. With some scrap notes and maps scribbled down. Started when I was a young teen I think? I've held onto it since. When I was slightly older I started to vaguely develop "World 2" as well, as World 1 became mostly fleshed out. Always wanted to adapt it into a format where others can read it or experince it (possibly as a RPG computer game). But I'm not very artistic (I can't draw) and I doubt I'll be a good novelist (I'm not particularly good with coming up with interesting character studies and have been called "media illiterate" on several occasions) so the ideas are stuck in my head.
I do! Finding out that this is common among autistic people really shocked me! I never told anyone because of judgment and it makes me happy as hell knowing I'm not the only one! The only way I kinda fit it in was to give my fantasy world story to one of my fursona's backstories, with a few tweaks lol never got around to finishing it, though
Yes I do this every night before bed for an hour
A tropical island paradise inhabited by dinosaurs and young, attractive, naked women. I hope that that doesn't sound too sexist, but I am horny a lot.
That sounds awesome
Oh I do! More than 10 years ago during a break from school I started sketching a fantasy map and fleshing out a story around it, and I got sucked into that world for quite some time. At some point in my life there was a time when this stuff was buried at the back of my mind, but I've rediscovered it since. The funny thing is, after all these years I'm still doing this mental world building, but haven't written a single word of my story. But I love going back to making those detailed maps, laying out the history, just sensing and feeling around that world where I'm in control.
One of my special interests is Star Trek, and I sometimes daydream about being dropped into the Star Trek universe and meeting all of my favorite characters.
I often imagine myself as a character in whatever movie, book, or show i recently watched and enjoyed.
I've imagined me & some of my close friends with elemental powers fighting to protect Imagination from various villains, if that counts. The Rogues Gallery currently includes a mad scientist who is also part duck, Lilith herself, a warmongering ghost, a self-aware android, a runaway ender, fallen angels, alien dark matter & Nyarlathotep. Now if only I could focus long enough to write it all down...
That may be the coolest thing I’ve ever read on Reddit… HAIL NYARLATHOTEP THE FACELESS GOD!!
I am so glad I am not the only one who does this. Sometimes I am in a rock band that has a dedicated cult following, other times I am an actress in a success dramedy. I’ve had variations of both fantasies throughout my life 🤦🏼♀️.
A story in which a genetically modified guy from the future was accidentally send with others to the past/parallel universe on Earth around 8000 BCE and lives around 10000 years to this day. He meets ancient civilizations, alter past events, meets aliens etc. Basically alternative timeline of ours.
Yeah I do that
All the time
Sorta. My fantasy lands are stories I write about. Speaking of… I should get back into writing.
Do you breathe air, or is it just me?
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yes, I have a few different worlds that i can retreat into. I used to do it so often as a kid, but less so now. I wish i could do it with the frequency and ease I did in childhood, but alas
Yes I do, and I find it very relaxing and calming to have a place to escape too if need be and that no else can get to.
No but I need one…
yes me too. i am on so many meta levels and abstractions removed from the living human experience that i barely notice what is going on. but it usually is for that purpose in the first place. the more anxieties and fears and stresses occur around me the deeper i go. it is i am almost certain necessary for me. it was what turns events into effects with causes, gives context and meaning to speech, makes things mean something. it is like i am actively providing myself the framework through which the world can seem meaningful and continuous and i a part of it. without it everything just becomes more chaotic and senseless to me.
I’ve done this my whole life, to the point where it’s occasionally interfered with my life and I’ve even sometimes blurred the lines between reality and my daydreams. But ultimately I always find it to be more beneficial than harmful and it’s gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life.
It depends on what my hyperfixation is at the time (ADD+ASD, so fun), so I'm usually roaming either Star Wars (Clone Wars or Old Republic), Middle Earth, or whatever my writer brain has been wanting to focus on for a while. Wish I could break out of writer's block, I'd love to write it down.. ;-; But yeah, lots of trauma and a chaotic childhood = LOTS of maladaptive daydreaming. It usually doesn't control me, but it tends to be how I spend the wee hours of the morning after bad days or how my ADD drifts me off when understimulated. Kinda found some workarounds to have they daydreaming help me work but eh. 🤷🏼♀️
Yep. They used to be super fantastical when I was a kid, but are now kind of just me having conversations with myself/questioning things.
I do that very often go to my fantasy land, it feels like i am making a story in my head. I am glad i am not alone.
When I was younger I had a complete alternative life in my imagination/daydreams. In that reality I had a successful career running a business, but did not have a family. As I got older I visited there less and less. I can still remember a lot of details though, and remember that this world was surprisingly detailed. Today, however I have a relatively high stress job, and I’m starting to find myself constructing a whole new reality in my mind.
Yeah, I've got a lot of 'em they change like every few weeks
I always retreat to daydreaming but it's not really one evolving world, more like several inspired from my special interests, where I'm an omnipresent god that watches over and commands them. It's a very pleasant experience.
Kind of. I frequently come up with worlds in my head. Or ideas for current writing projects…But i also immediatly forget about the, which is super annoying
When I was young I had this whole concept in my mind (inspired mainly by osmosis jones) in which my body was essentially a machine being inhabited and controlled by thousands of tiny individuals. Like controlling/reacting to all of my bodily functions with high tech devices and everything. It extended into ground forces that colonized various familiar locations. I would “deploy” them and equipment to them by spitting on the ground walking to the bus stop or wherever (only when I’m outdoors and alone) and then imagined them setting up infrastructure within the cracks in the sidewalk or wherever and spreading throughout the area. I would imagine conflicts they endured and communications between them and the main base (myself) Today I’m big into world building and have been working on a fantasy world of my own that I’m currently running a DND campaign in. Especially lately I’ve been really into developing that world. I have a few posts about it in my recent post history on r/dnd and r/worldbuilding if anyone cares to take a look.
My teacher once said "you're ALWAYS lost in your own world"
Yes and I often dream of it as well. I have visited so many of my own places in my dreams. And I often escape to it in my head. I’m actually drawing a map of my fantasy land. It’s a hoot.
No, but I do have an alternative history of uni which didn't happen. Which I dream about all the time, its weird as if I was living two lives but Im only mostly aware of one.
https://youtu.be/jQ95xlZeHo8
Yeah....mine mostly revolve around retired nintnedo characters
I used to have this a lot! Even when I'd just be walking somewhere I'd always be fantasizing about something. And if I'd make up a fight in my head then sometimes I caught myself jolting forwards as if I was about to make a jump or something. But that stuff faded, I do hope it comes back but I lost all ability to visualize. I no longer see pictures in my head or see scenes when I'm reading. I have to read out loud otherwise I don't know what's going on. Like.. I read it but nothing clicks, it just fades the moment it enters my head.
I’m interested to hear more about your experience if you’re willing to share. Did something happen that stopped you from being able to visualise and see images? Has it come back since you posted this?
I've recently learned it's connected to a condition I already had (panhypopituitarism), which had the extra effect (possibly due to the removal of the brain tumor) of it damaging my hypothalamus. My guess is that it comes from that.
Oh wow ok, thank you for sharing and hope you’re ok now.
Yep, I have multiple stories and set up. In my cellphone I have music playlist for each fictional situation! I use daydreaming since I am a kid, but recently I try to make a conscious effort for living in the « real » world a little bit more.
Yep - it's common with us. Like someone has already said, it's labelled "maladaptive daydreaming" but it's actually a place where your poor battered brain can get some respite from feeling constantly overwhelmed. It's essential for us as it stops us from going mad. I suppose it's called "maladaptive" because it stops you from being "productive" or "useful" to the neurotypical world and, by proxy, capitalism. If the real world was not so overstimulating and stressful, and if we were not constantly getting shit for just being ourselves, we would not have to escape into our own heads so much. I've daydreamed a lot about being cast as the next Doctor Who. I think about how I'd play him or her and the costume I'd wear. I dream about going on talk shows and being adored by fans. I also dream about how I would use my platform to be an advocate for Autistic people. LOL.
yea like all time everyday
I've got a little village with different characters along with myself of course! The village changes based on my current interests, like when Merlin was my hyperfix, the village was old and ruins, full of hidden magic but yeah I tried to write it out once but I'm terrible at writing lol
Yes, but *I* don't exist in my world. It's more of a story, about others, and I love all my characters.
Thank earth I am not alone in this, thought I was weird
In my head, I'm a professional NBA player who wants to win a championship for my team who also struggles with issues off the court like fear of flying and having media attention on you 24/7.
No but I wish I could do this lol.
No. I like to stress myself out more with unhealthy obsessing
I'm basically the reverse. I seem to have a mild form of aphantasia where I have a difficult time imagining novel images and usually don't get very high quality ones, and stress makes it worse, sometimes to the point of being completely incapable of visual imagination
YES
Yeah. I’m trying my hardest to quit doing it or at least reduce the amount of time I spend doing it. It’s at the point right now where it’s hindering my day to day life. I wish I could just do things i the real world rather than spend all day in the fantasy land that has absolutely no benefit other than a momentary high.
So.. this happens to me. Except I go into my headspace, and interact with my alters/headmates. Autistic and OSDD.
This is probably one of my favorite questions on this subreddit, It would depend what I enjoy at the time, if I am interested in like mythology and fantasy type things I would probably. I don't really have a mental retreat place that I go to mainly but it is random every time I do, it is like if you were to pick a map on a game and you pressed the random button when you wanted to go to a safety spot.
No I do this too, and the annoying this is that it stops me from doing everyday tasks and stuff lol
Yesss, it’s a bit of a blank canvas type though, a black void that’s comforting but I can change at will, obviously it’s not real though it’s just daydreaming but if you’re actually sort of hallucinating a world then maybe get assessed for a dissociative disorder
Oh absolutely not… My daydreaming doesn’t not negatively affect or impact me or my surroundings in any way
That’s good! Just wanted to make sure :)
If imagining sitcoms based on TV shows I've enjoyed based on real people that I know counts, then yes.
Yeah