Escaping Escapism
An Exploration into the Value of Meaning
The world can be kind of a drag sometimes. This isn’t shocking news. When life lays us low, we often look for distractions to escape from the current situation, whatever that might be. This is “escapism”.
Escapism is the shirking of responsibility. It’s the disappearing into oblivion so that we don’t have to contend with the problems at hand. I am just as guilty of this as anyone. Perhaps more so than most.
Recently, I’ve found myself succumbing to escapism more than normal. I play too many video games, have a few too many drinks, watch too much tv, spend too much time on social media, and even read too much (not the worst thing ever, but still an escape).
My escapism stemmed from stress. I started a job which I did not enjoy and it did not pay me enough (actually, it paid me nothing because it was commission only and after 2 months I had made no sales… oof). As the weeks began ticking by and I saw no repayment for the work I was putting in, the stress mounted. As did the feeling of wasted time. So, whenever I got off work, I wouldn’t want to think or do anything, because the stress had wiped away my drive and energy. I much preferred escaping into another world and briefly forgetting about my problems.
But then!
I began to wonder what it would take to re-engage with life. To live vibrantly. To feel constantly alive while also being healthy, hard-working, and productive. I believe that that is an achievable goal. It’s at least a good one to work towards.
What would it look like if I stopped escaping the world? What if I took control of my life? What if I truly began taking action and moving up? I would aim at a version of myself in the future that lines up with my desires. A vision that gets me out of bed and excites me to action. A vision that I’d be willing, even happy, to work towards and sacrifice for.
My question became, “what are the things that fill me with enthusiasm?” Specifically, what could I work on that I wouldn’t want to escape from? I thought on this for a while. The answers that came to me seemed to be connected to doing what I found meaningful.
What is it that provides meaning though? Our strategic, conscious minds can’t simply figure out what we would find meaningful. Meaning comes from a place much deeper within us. I do think, however, that we all might be able to “feel” our way towards our own personal meaning by listening to the call from deep within ourselves. We each know there are times when we feel especially enthusiastic, passionate, or captivated. That’s probably a hint as to which path we should follow to find our meaning.
The word “enthusiasm” literally derives from a Greek phrase meaning “to be filled with the spirit of God”.
I began to listen to that deeper part of me. The part that draws me towards certain subjects, ideas, and actions for reasons I don’t understand.
As I listened, these were the things that showed themselves as being meaningful:
1. Writing
2. Fitness
3. Quality relationships with friends and family
4. Travelling and exploring in nature
5. Creative endeavors
With these in mind, I quit my sales job that was making me miserable rather than money. I just got a job as a bartender that will cover my expenses and allow me to begin pursuing my passions. Rather than escaping life, I intend on being fulfilled in it.
I think the pursuit of meaning might just be the thing that justifies existence. When we ignore what our soul is meant to do, reality rebels against us. Take the story of Jonah for example. He ignored his purpose and ended up in the belly of the whale. Not a place I’d like to end up.
Whether you look at Jonah’s story literally or figuratively, the point stays the same. If you avoid your purpose on this Earth, you will end up in a place you don’t want to be.
When pursuing meaning, I believe that even mundane activities become charged with positive emotion. Especially when progress starts to be seen. If I start living in a way that incorporates this pursuit, I won’t feel the need to escape. I’ll have a reason not to do so. This is my belief moving forward.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!
“He who has a Why can bear almost any How.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche