Parasocial Relationships

[Jessica Ballantyne]

I tend to admire public figures and their families online, but feel that I have parasocial relationships with them. They have no idea that I think about them everybody and always reviewing their instagram platforms, videos, articles, and websites. I then start to fantasize that I am their friend and we know each other, whereas in real life, who knows how they'd react if we've ever actually met. Well I'd been a fan of this singer and learned all about their wife & daughter, brothers, father, mother, friends, etc., also the work they do, even their love lives. This has become a vicious cycle, and I notice, their lives and business nearly took over my frame of mind and concocted fantasies in my MD life. I'm trying to stop my addiction, which is not easy. I keep on saying to myself "no don't," and I have to practice not to. 

It's just amazing when you idolize someone, it gets out of control, and suddenly you guys are fictional buddies, when sadly in real life, it's inconceivable to their consciousness that you are out there somewhere marvelling at them everyday online.