Living a Double Life

[JenBren]

In an effort to get out of the house and start living life, or at least to try to live some kind of life out of my room where I do all my daydreaming, I started an exercise program. I joined a gym and I found a trail that I regularly walk/run. Funny enough, I opened up to my doctor about how unhappy/bored I am with life, etc (as much as I could without telling her about my daydreaming) and it was her advice that I start taking care of myself, and to do something for myself. That's how I started the exercise program. After all, exercise is supposed to wonders for both body and mind, right?

At first it really was just a workout, but now it's the perfect escape and a chance to daydream. I carry the iPod with me whether its at the gym or on the trail and while I exercise, I daydream. So now instead of daydreaming just during the night (or while doing dishes, laundry, etc), I do it for an hour or so every day while I exercise. 

So while I'm daydreaming more, I feel better, happier I guess, being out of the house and interacting with others (at the gym), but it's like living a double life. I go into the gym or hit the trail as one person living in reality, then plug into the music and slip away into another world, slipping into the character in my daydreams. Honestly, I feel like I workout harder and act/feel different as soon as the music starts. I feel more confident, stronger, better..more like my 'true' self. 

Now I have to ask, am I helping or hurting myself? Does anyone else have anything that gets them out of the house? Does anyone else feel like they live a double life? Do you have times when you act like your character or like a more idealized version of yourself? 

[The1andonlyAbber]

Actually, I take back what I said about not having repetitive movements, it turns out I do but I just wasn't aware of it. Still, I personally find it hard to daydream when moving really fast.

[Rosethewolf]

To Jey: that is awesome XD cool shoes :3

[The1andonlyAbber]

I daydream a lot when I run, but it's harder because I'm moving so fast (I daydream without repetitive movements and I usually daydream when I'm sitting or walking).

[Alex]

Honestly, this was one of the appeals when I still had my gym membership: it was like this private time for my mind to wander. I find exercise is one of my triggers, don't know why. Gym sessions and long walks. I don't consider my daydreaming to be a bad thing, and if it gets me out and moving I think it's at least a step-up from daydreaming alone at home. And yes, exercise is sooo good for mental health. I don't know if it helps daydreaming, but it's so beneficial for things like depression.

[jey]

I am 100% with you about the double life thing. To me, that's the main drawback of MDD. It just crowds out so much of reality.

But I totally use DDs to get me through tough workouts. I think this is probably one of the more embarrassing things I can own up to, but I often imagine that I'm a superhero and I need to run one more mile in order to save New York City or something. I even bought running shoes that remind me of Spider Man.

....yes I did.