Wild Minds network

Maladaptive Daydreaming: where wild minds come to rest

I just started college a week ago...

...And I find myself daydreaming less and less now that I'm more busy. The only times I daydream are if I'm taking a long, slow walk to class. Sometimes I'm really late for a class, and all I can concentrate on while walking to the class is, "I'm late! I'm late! OMG!" and I can't daydream. I have 2 roommates who also distract me from daydreaming because I'm constantly talking to them. Other than that, I'm pretty much just studying and eating (not too much though, I don't want to gain the Freshman 15 :P). If I could guestimate how much time I spend daydreaming, I would say about 30-40 minutes a day (it depends on how much walking I do). I can no longer pace around, I must be going somewhere important in order to daydream because I now feel that pacing is a waste of time. Yeah I'll space out for like 5 minutes when I'm studying sometimes, but I think that most people do that. Maybe I'm daydreaming less because I'm concentrating more on my own life rather than my "daydream world". The only downside is of course all of the stress I'm dealing with and having to cope with it without having the time to daydream now.

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Comment by Becca on September 9, 2011 at 2:25pm: Thank you everyone :)

I'm planning to go in to Respiratory therapy, because it's a job which will keep me busy (lots of running around) and will help people. Also, to phoenix62, thank you for the advice about grades. I'm an overachiever and will try to tell myself that my life isn't over if I get a C once in a while. I need at least a 2.5 to get in to my program, and a 3.0 in my Chem classes.

Comment by phoenix62 on September 6, 2011 at 4:22am: That's great that you are starting school, meeting new friends, keeping busy....just-try not to stress it too much, have fun:) Sounds like you off to a great start!!!

Please don't do what I did-I was SO worried about everything...I tried to be perfect-perfect grades, etc....I had to drop out and get medical help:(
When I finally went back and finished, I didn't stress near as much, wasn't perfect (b average) and made some great friends and everything worked out great!!

Comment by Tila on September 4, 2011 at 8:54pm: I wish you the best in school. :) Challenges of any kind are definitely stressful, but at least they're interesting. Being under pressure to meet a deadline or finish a paper can be a lot of fun (well at least I think so!). I'd rather have an interesting challenge, than a boring, jaded life of indulgence. (lol!)

Comment by McNamara on September 4, 2011 at 12:19pm: I think it's only natural to worry about grades, etc, but I'm really happy for you that you are remembering to really enjoy and participate in your new life, keep us updated xx

Comment by Becca on September 3, 2011 at 1:45pm: I do feel often stressed and a bit on edge because of the workload and worrying about grades, but the lack of daydreaming might have a little to do with it. Tila, I agree with you 100% and I experience the "it's not real" voices in my head when I daydream as well. Some of my daydreams involve hypothetical questions like "What would happen if I went back in time to the 50's and sang a song from the 80's?" or something stupid like that which would obviously never happen. Thank you for your encouragement, and I hope everything goes well for you, and you too McNamara :)

Comment by McNamara on September 3, 2011 at 9:21am: Congratulations on starting school! I'm glad you are so busy and meeting new, exciting experiences - do you feel really good about everything or does the lack of time to MDD make you feel on edge? I think 30-40 minutes isn't too bad to lose in one day x

Comment by Tila on September 3, 2011 at 9:15am: Being occupied all the time is great like that....there is just no time to daydream! And guess what, you are living your life! I used to wish for days where I wake up early and active, and go to bed exhauseted. Now I have them..

Yes, it is a sacrifice too because the daydreams that I still tap into have lost some of their power. I have been hearing a part of my mind interrupting halfway through, saying "this isn't real". I gently tell my mind that it is "as good as real", but this new awareness keeps tainting my daydream sessions. I guess this is the price of "living on the outside".

Besides going to school, I have also moved into a new apartment. My new roommate Chris has become such a great friend and confidant (and yes, there is a sexual component as well, lol!). The point is that being so close to another person has made me feel like I am REAL in this world....validated. Being close to other people helps so much with establishing your own identity, and maintaining your outside life (as oppose to your inner life).