How can I resist the temptation of my "perfect" world?

[Mara Smith Anderson]

I'm living with people who are making my life more and more stressful and miserable. As I've no where else to go, I find my only outlet in day dreaming; I try to create a better world for myself inside my mind. As I became, practically, addicted to daydreaming and I can't stop it, I always try to keep myself away from triggers. However, under stress I find myself going back to my "perfect" fantasy world where I feel beautiful, powerful, successful and desirable. When I return to the real world after a long exhausting journey of day dreaming, I feel worse about myself. My real problem is that I resort to daydreaming bec. I've nothing else that makes my life livable. I want to stop, but the stress pushes me back to the same path. I feel like moving in vicious circles all my life. Any ideas how to resist the temptation of daydreaming?

[Angel]

I hope you can eventually change your stressful living situation.  Even if you don't daydream that situation will make you feel the same way you do now.

 

But in the meantime you need to find some things that can help you feel good.  Do you have a job or could you find one?  Or perhaps some sort of creative outlet?  I find doing something that I can feel proud of helps me feel better and occupies my mind temporarily, whether that is doing good at work or being artistic with my video game modding.  Do you have any family members or friends that don't stress you out that you can be with?  Someone that can keep you busy can help keep you grounded in the here and now.  People who care about you can make you feel good too.  Easier said than done, I know.  I only have a few real people myself, but they help.

 

I don't really have any advice on how to avoid triggers.  For myself, there is no way to stay away from triggers.  It feels like everything inspiring is a trigger.  Even boredom is a trigger because there's nothing better to do.  You know what?  Don't beat yourself up over daydreaming.  You aren't a bad person because of it.  Instead of trying to completely stop, maybe try limiting it by engaging in other activities.  But if you are like me, I daydream almost no matter what I'm doing unless its some mentally challenging task.  No matter what, try to accept yourself the way you are, an intelligent and creative person.