[affinity]

I'd like to know how the rest of you cope when the 'real world' gets too much. What classes as too much? Where do you go? How long do you stay? etc. etc.

[nikkii]

The computer seems to be my first act of coping with reality.

[Dalien]

Computer
Dreaming
Writing
not necessarily in that order.

[errantsoul]

sitting smwhere and dreaming.. =P or with my computer
internet, music, movies, reading, writting

[FamousAndStuff]

When the day's been tough, I'll take a shower that night with the lights off. Y'know, just cut off the senses after so much sensory overload. White noise and blackness.
If I've been having a rough week, I'll ignore sleep and just stay up all night, pacing around my dad's pool table and talking to myself.
When I really reach my breaking point, I'll drop everything completely and build a fort in my back room with blankets and tall chairs, like I did when I was little. I don't fit in it as easily as I used to. But it's the perfect sanctuary.

[Hokahey]

I just withdraw into my head.

[NeonCrown]

Music is always something I do to escape from reality.
If not music then going on the internet.

[Female INFJ]

The computer seems to be my first act of coping with reality.

Hi nikkii.

Your new Avatar picture is so pretty. You are changing quite rapidly, it must be school? Well I am happy to report to you, I started Full-time school in January, and so far I am getting almost an A in each subject. I was getting ready to settle in school forever, but I am already starting to find jobs related to my studies. I have school work assignments upcoming already next year.

My friends (who do not know about my online personality) always tell me to never spend time on the computer. That it isn't healthy, and that it is not reality. They do have a point. So I would also say Internet is an escape. I don't really allow much escape, but should I choose to, I can cook up an imaginary life in my mind. And watch tv or movies and stuff. I can go out and walk around and enjoy surroundings by myself. I like that escape also.

[oldsoul]

I escape through my characters. They are sometimes only an extension of myself-- so similar, that, to people who know me well, they're like a clone of myself hiding behind different looks. Others are totally different, creations unto themselves, with personalities as vividly real to me as if I were talking to someone sitting right next to me. I write with these characters, either alone or with other people, and escape into their minds and their worlds, allowing my own mind to recuperate by 'turning off', in a way.

[Lord Xephere]

This is an interesting thread for me because I actually do this almost constantly. I actually have sort of an addiction to daydreaming as silly as it sounds. It's actually called Maladaptive Daydreaming. Reality seems to get very overwhelming for me and daydreaming is a good coping mechanism, but it's gotten to be a little out of hand. I would actually create characters, including my ideal self, and multiple fantasy worlds. Listening to music is a trigger for this and it would automatically send me into my fantasy world. I will actually listen to music and daydream for hours before going to bed.

When I'm not daydreaming, I like to play video games, watch anime, read, and browse the internet.