I've been thinking lately about the value of escapism, and hear me out — I think it's a good thing.
I know a lot of people look down on this aspect of RP and feel ashamed of it. But I think that sometimes if I spend too much time in my head, I'm prone to suffering from all kinds of anxieties, becoming self-absorbed, and that this is a perfectly normal, unhealthy aspect of being human. I'm only thinking about my own problems and becoming increasingly stressed by them because I just can't escape them.
When I RP, it doesn't feel like I'm in my own head. It feels instead like I'm in someone else's head & shoes. I gain distance from myself, from my petty real life problems, and often consequently, I gain perspective.
Honestly I had a shitty day. The why does not matter. If I spelled it out here I'd probably get laughed at because the thing that ruined my day was so unbelievably stupid. I rationally know I shouldn't be as upset about it as I am, but feels are a different story.
But then I logged on, RPed a bit, took measures to extricate myself from the real life situation that bothered me, and now I feel better. Not having to think about it, or about me, just for a bit — a little break from myself — helped. I can now go back to that thing and see it clearly for the irrational nonsense that it was.
Sometimes short doses of escapism can be good for mental health.