escapism
Mental flight habit
Escapism is the tendency to seek distraction from unpleasant realities through entertainment, fantasy, or other absorbing activities.
The term usually carries mild disapproval, suggesting avoidance rather than engagement: Video games are pure escapism for him.
But escapism can also be defended as necessary mental relief: Sometimes you need a little escapism.
Abstracted, pleasant daydream
- fantasizingImagining desired scenarios
- woolgatheringAbsent-minded indulgence in fantasy
- mind-wanderingUnfocused, spontaneous thought
- musingsLeisurely contemplative thoughts
visualization · trance · abstraction · contemplation · preoccupation · absentmindedness · distraction · drifting
Act of escaping detection
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- numbingCausing loss of sensation
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
distraction · deflection · suppression · detachment · dissociation · coping · hiding · retreating
Relief from distress
- respiteShort pause from hardship
- comfortEase or soothing relief
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- refugePlace of safety
retreat · decompression · unwinding · release · catharsis · therapeutic · healing · recharge
Supernatural or illusory power
- wizardryPractice of casting spells
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- fairytalesMagical stories for children
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
unicorns · elves · sorcery · enchantment · fable · legend · lore · kingdoms
Substance-induced mental impairment
- drinkingLiquid consumption act
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- drugsTherapeutic chemical compounds
- highsMaximum recorded values
sedation · numbing · addiction · self-medication · binge · overindulgence · marijuana · smoking
Interactive electronic entertainment
- role-playingActing out characters
- simulationImitation of real processes
- augmented-realityDigital content superimposed on surroundings
- avatarDigital user representation
cyberspace · headset · interactive · binge-watching · streaming · MMORPG · cosplay · LARPing
Agreeable diversion of attention
- recreationRefreshment through leisure
- hobbyRecreational leisure activity
- pastimeRecreational pursuit
- amusementPleased entertainment state
leisure · distraction · play · fun · respite · enjoyment · pleasure · relaxation
Craving for distant places
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- odysseyExtended adventurous journey
- voyageJourney by sea
- safariWildlife observation journey
trek · backpacking · explorer · globetrotter · frontier · uncharted · quest · mountaineering
reverie
Abstracted, pleasant daydream
- fantasizingImagining desired scenarios
- woolgatheringAbsent-minded indulgence in fantasy
- mind-wanderingUnfocused, spontaneous thought
musings · visualization · trance · abstraction · contemplation · preoccupation · absentmindedness · distraction · drifting · staring
evasion
Act of escaping detection
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- numbingCausing loss of sensation
procrastination · distraction · deflection · suppression · detachment · dissociation · coping · hiding · retreating · shutdown
solace
Relief from distress
refuge · retreat · decompression · unwinding · release · catharsis · therapeutic · healing · recharge · peace
magic
Supernatural or illusory power
- wizardryPractice of casting spells
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- fairytalesMagical stories for children
dragons · unicorns · elves · sorcery · enchantment · fable · legend · lore · kingdoms · epic
intoxication
Substance-induced mental impairment
- drinkingLiquid consumption act
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- drugsTherapeutic chemical compounds
highs · sedation · numbing · addiction · self-medication · binge · overindulgence · marijuana · smoking · bars
gaming
Interactive electronic entertainment
- role-playingActing out characters
- simulationImitation of real processes
- augmented-realityDigital content superimposed on surroundings
avatar · cyberspace · headset · interactive · binge-watching · streaming · MMORPG · cosplay · LARPing · fandom
entertainment
Agreeable diversion of attention
- recreationRefreshment through leisure
- hobbyRecreational leisure activity
- pastimeRecreational pursuit
amusement · leisure · distraction · play · fun · respite · enjoyment · pleasure · relaxation · unwinding
wanderlust
Craving for distant places
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- odysseyExtended adventurous journey
- voyageJourney by sea
safari · trek · backpacking · explorer · globetrotter · frontier · uncharted · quest · mountaineering · thrill-seeker
- leisurerecreation, pastimes, downtime, free time, relaxation
- readingfluency, read, comprehension, readers, books
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- ismscapitalism, socialism, communism, anarchism, racism
- fantasiesdaydream, fantasy, dream, wishful thinking, illusion
- indulgencesindulgence, indulgences, chocolate cake, overindulgence, massage
escapismrealism
Accepting things as they are
reality · groundedness · presence · mindfulness · engagement
escapismconfrontation
Direct hostile encounter
facing up · problem-solving · coping · engagement · tackling
escapismpragmatism
Practical problem-solving philosophy
practicality · realism · level-headedness · matter-of-factness · sensibleness
- escapist fictionEntertainment through imaginary worlds
- escapist literatureReading for mental retreat
- romantic escapismRetreat into idealized love