Maladaptive Daydreaming = Naivety

[Vesta Harford]

Does anyone else feel like they are more naive as a result of maladaptive daydreaming? Instead of living new experiences and gaining new knowledge, you just waste time by daydreaming your life away. Your brain is filled with stupid daydreams of God-knows-what instead of interesting information that you could be learning. As a teen, people often pointed out that I was naive or inexperienced. Some even thought I was dumb because I was mostly unaware of what was going on such as politics or pop culture. 

[Ruchi]

Yes, I did felt that many times

[Luna]

Yes I agree. There are people who think I'm stupid as well.
Now I have been trying to quit for a couple of months and notice my brain has been working better, since I have more "free space" in my head I'm trying to have more organised thoughts.

[Laura]

I'm naive in certain things, like relationships. I've never had one. I have friends but I'm so introverted I don't hang out with them often, I'm not shy so I talk a lot when I'm out or at school or work or whatever.  Anything more intimiate than that is basically out of the question.

But, maybe it's just my storyline, I think I'm more aware of politics and pop culture due to my daydreaming. But it relates to my characters so it makes sense. I get a lot of inspiration for certain things from the news. I don't feel like I'm really inexperienced but then again, I probably am. I've been doing this for so long.

[debbie downer]

i don't think i'm too naive - when i learn new information, i incorporate it into my daydream. this post did make me think about something interesting, though. i always thought this was just a "me" thing and i never considered that it had anything to do with MD, but i'm a very sensitive person. i don't like things that are vulgar or violent. i don't swear, and i am strongly against drugs and alcohol. i get uncomfortable watching movies or tv shows with blood, sexual themes, drinking, drugs, etc.  maybe my MD makes my sensitivity worse because i can go to my daydream world instead of exposing myself to these things in real life? thanks for posting this, i've never thought about it before.

[maria feliz]

Me too have never been in a relationship and I'm 34.  I want to make this stop so bad before it becomes too late. 

Laura said:

I'm naive in certain things, like relationships. I've never had one. I have friends but I'm so introverted I don't hang out with them often, I'm not shy so I talk a lot when I'm out or at school or work or whatever.  Anything more intimiate than that is basically out of the question.

But, maybe it's just my storyline, I think I'm more aware of politics and pop culture due to my daydreaming. But it relates to my characters so it makes sense. I get a lot of inspiration for certain things from the news. I don't feel like I'm really inexperienced but then again, I probably am. I've been doing this for so long.

[maria feliz]

Yes, I feel that for my age I lack a lot experience. Never had a boyfriend, never had my own place, trying new things it's hard because I'm socially awkward and my md in an enabler because it provides so much comfort that I'm never compelled to just do things.  

[Heartland Dreamer]

Honestly... no.  As I've gotten older, I've had less and less time for DEVOTED daydreaming.  By that I mean carving out time to use specifically for daydreaming... nobody else around, an empty house, no responsibilities.  It's rare that I use my alone time anymore for MD.  When I started MD, it was that way. I'd stay in my room for hours, sitting on the bed, pacing or whatever, and immerse myself in whatever world I cared to be in.

I'm not really shy but have always been more on the reserved side.  But I'm also restless and driven to learn and experience things.  So, I learned fairly early (in my teens... I'm in my mid-40's now) to use my MD to my advantage.  It's been a tool I use to "get me out there."  I don't carve out time to daydream anymore.  I live it, breathe it.  I don't just daydream, lock myself in my head. I just don't have time for it.  So, I merged MD with my real life. 

I love to learn so my character did too.  So, if I needed to study, so did my character.  I've used my MD to accomplish things.  It's been the most dependable way for me to achieve something.  Get in shape?  My character works out.  Lose weight, get healthy?  My character learns all about veganism.  Have a presentation for work?  My character is suddenly a public speaker.  My marriage is struggling?  My character doesn't have a family, wants one badly, and I end up learning to value what I have in my real life. 

I can honestly say I know the difference between myself and my character, my "dream" and my real life.  I'm not confused in the least.  But I also believe that because I've spent so much time BEING my character, that he's begun to rub off on me.  He's been a good influence and continues to be.  I'm female, BTW.  So, I'm now asking myself how much of me is him?  Well, actually all of me is him.  I created him, didn't I?  We've grown up together.  Both of us have learned and grown. I've used BEING him to make me better, smarter, stronger.

These days I've been finding it easier to let go of him.  I don't need him as much.  Anymore, he's a like a ride at a carnival.  I'll take him for a spin now and again, but he just doesn't provide the same excitement that he did when I was younger. 

Did MD make me naive, sheltered, etc?  ABSOLUTELY NOT. I understand this is also my unique experience.  I've been reading other posts about some things that other MD-ers daydream about.  And these things are DEFINITELY NOT something you'd want to merge with your real life.

[Martha M]

 Because of the daydreams I have had fewer life experiences than other people my age. I think this probably does make me a less experienced and more naïve person.