The great escapist - Literary escapism

Is this why you keep reading books? Words that distract you? Plots that drown out your thoughts? Settings that make you feel at home? 

With all the stress, struggles and bottled up emotions, we all need to make it through our day. Everyone has their own way to cope, whether it is music, dance or reading. 

 A great book provides escapism. The artistry and creativity is better than any drug. Literary escapism is a coping mechanism. Literary escapism is a harmless pleasure that includes escaping from one’s thought by immersing into exotic situations or activities through reading. Books used for literary escapism are called escapist fiction. An individual reading a lot of romance novels to forget about their boring love life is an example of escapism. 

The best strategy for overwhelming emotions and thoughts is to walk away and emerge into something else. You don’t have to engage with all emotions and thoughts. On bad days it is best to open a book and find yourself lost into the world the book portrays. 

Escapism is vital in life. The right form of escapism helps cope with emotions and thoughts. They provide us with a feeling of having everything we need. It provides satisfaction in life. They allow us to grow and aspire for a better version of ourselves and society. It gives us an opportunity to recharge ourselves. Life is tough.  Experiencing life, love and overcoming issues through the characters gives a sense of hope. Romance novels provide love and warmth. Literary escapism makes you creative in the aspects of writing and crafting a story. 


Reading escapist fiction is okay. It is necessary. You have been looking at the news, right? We need books to give ourselves a break.

Give yourself a break, relax with a cup of coffee and a book!

But too much escapism can turn into addiction. One day or the other we have to engage, learn and accept our emotions and thoughts. We cannot avoid them forever. Study shows those who use escapism are often depressed. Avoiding emotions and problems may develop a risk of higher depressive symptoms. It may cause a lack of ambition. Not everything has a happy ending. You are just a side character in other’s stories. Deluding everything will be fine doesn’t make it fine. 

Literary escapism has its drawbacks. Escapism of any form has to be done healthily. There are no exact symptoms for escapism. We have to be self-aware. If escapism affects your performance, health or social relations better to consult professional help. 
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Escapism is not bad. Addiction will affect you. Here are few ways to avoid escapism:

• Make a to-do list
• Indulge into real-world activities 
• Confront your issues 
• Figure out your aim 
• Seek professional help
• Keep away books, Wattpad and social media 
• Try writing your own story (include your thoughts and emotions) 

Reading fanfics and romance novels are my literary escapism. They offer me a sense of warmth and comfort. They let me imagine a better world. The conflict and tension make me forget my own issues. I am very selective in choosing my escapist literature piece. The chosen one revolves around me; the setting can describe my comfort zone or the plot is an incident I went through. Literature works where the character is in my position makes me feel like I am not alone. Everyone has their own battle, they are fighting it in their own way. 

A literature piece that helps me escape always seems short to me. 
You will make it. 
Yara. 
Here are some extra resources:
"Escapist" Fiction Is Exactly What You Need Sometimes, And You Shouldn't Feel Bad For Reading It
The Best Escapist Fiction To Distance Yourself From The World  

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