What keeps a mind in real life?

[Asta]

As you can see I am continuing to analyze myself. Once I've found out about my maladaptive daydreaming, I am trying to observe my emotions and actions. I asked myself "What keeps my mind in real life?". What makes me more interested in reality and my presence here and now?

The answer for me is kind a ironic. It's creative activity, all sorts of it. For example, I get excited by drawing. It makes my mind busy and keeps my mood up. I've always liked to draw, but now I see it as a salvation and a sort of excitement and spice to keep my reality interesting. I am even thinking to practice more and make it more than a hobby.

Another thing, I've found out. That I need to fulfill my time with various events. For example, concerts, theater plays, trips. To sum up, all the activities to keep my mind interested.

Does it sound familiar?

How do you keep your mind in real life?

[Juno Jones]

Amanda has good ideas about this. Even if people are talking to you and you stay interested it can help. Your ideas are good. We can try harder to see what we think about. I also think it's a lot about emotions too.

[Amanda Lewone]

I think having some kind of goal in reality helps. Whether it's weight loss or learning a new skill - and then talking about it with others. Something about reaching for those things helps. And staying very busy. Running from the gym, to lunch, to a class, to church, back home to quickly study, cooking etc. This can also lead to stress if it's too much but it can keep your mind in reality. 

[Roel]

I really have no idea what keeps me going back to reality. People irl that are shouting at me I guess :/

I do also like drawing (and writing) a lot, but I don't go out.