Stress Center Peer Support

So I saw the movie Twilight and then, bought the books, the soundtrack.. and all I can think about is having that kind of love and living in a different kind of world than ours. I feel unbalanced and need to get back into reality. The escape is fun but I don't want it to be my life. I know that some men are hooked on video games. I am embarassingly hooked on young adult fiction at the moment. It's helping me distract from emotions of ending relationship. Is that normal? I can't afford to stay up until the wee hours devouring these books..

There is nothing wrong with escapism, especially in moderation!
This comes from the person who probably has every episode of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" Memorized!
Are you avoiding an issue? Or, perhaps avoiding taking a hard look at something in your life by sinking into "Twilight?"

You must understand something. You are in complete control. You don't feel like it, but you are. Make a commitment to stop reading by 10:00 P.M. That's it. Period. Then feel those uncomfortable feelings. Breathe into them. Welcome them in. Do this everyday until you no longer feel obsessed to read until wee hours of the morning. When thoughts come in about this just allow the thoughts to be there. In fact, ask your mind to give you more of the thoughts. Breathe into all of this and stop the resistance.

Boy, do I understand this. My thing is the news and the bad things that happen to people. (BTW, I really don't watch any news since completing the program awhile back) but, I happened to see the beginning of the Dr. Phil show yesterday and before I could turn it off, I heard some of the story about that 16 year old boy who was chained and kept hostage by those weirdos.......needless to say, I kept thinking about my own two children and I started "worrying" on and off about their safety and what-ifing. Thank goodness I woke up fine, of course typing this post reminds me all over again.....!!!

I think that when we are stressed or like Lynnier said, avoiding something or an issue is unresolved, that's when news or a movie could do that to us. Like I have been a little anxious over the fact that my husband (who's never sick) has been battling a cough, allergies and ashma-like symptoms for weeks now! I am more worried than he is and so I find myself becoming obessive and alittle paranoid about almost anything. Just sit back, relax and try to look at the big picture and remember, like boon says, we are in control.

Lynnier: Buffy fan, are you? We should talk. (I once interviewed Eliza Dushku).

Originally posted by Lynnier:
There is nothing wrong with escapism, especially in moderation!
This comes from the person who probably has every episode of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" Memorized!
Are you avoiding an issue? Or, perhaps avoiding taking a hard look at something in your life by sinking into "Twilight?"

Wow, I think you really hit the nail on the head. I am distracting myself with this passionate compelling story because of the cold hard reality of the relationship I'm in- with a man I am afraid of and should have asked to leave years ago- no love, fear, resentment, broken finances, etc etc. Twilight really has hold of my obsessive mind; I feel physically and mentally sick, haven't been able to eat or sleep for 3 days, but I'm trying to take care of myself and will see my doctor soon. Thank you guys for the support and perspective. I know it will come back to me soon. Thank God for this board and for your support.

Boon: I will listen to you, and close the book at 10 p.m. Your advice made me burst into tears- just let the thoughts come in, welcome them even.

Thank you all!!

I had the exact same problem, still do in moderation. I too am fascinated with Twilight. I had never heard of the books or the movie. A friend of mine took me along to see it. I loved it. In fact, we went back a few hours after seeing it the first time to see it again. We even went to the local Barnes and Nobel to get the first book that same night and I asked for the second book for my birthday later that week which I got. I am hoping to get the other 2 for Christmas. So, I know where you are at.

I figured out what my obsession was. It was not with the movie or the actors it was with what the movie represented to me. Undying complete devotion and love and romance. Things I am missing in my marriage. I was projecting onto "Edward" what my husband lacked, what my relationship lacked. I wanted my husband to be Edward. Since that was not possible, I made Edward into reality.

It took me a while to see that. I do still love the movie and the books and plan to finish the series, but I now have a different perspective for why they mean so much to me.

I went a step further then you which maybe you could try to, but you have to do it from a healthy place. I wrote the author of the books Stephenie Meyer a "thank you" note of sorts. I told her how much the stories meant to me and how they helped me realize some things about my own life and how they inspired me to write again. I also wrote "Edward"- the actor anyway. I told him a similar message. That I was a fan of his music and that he has inspired me to sing again.

Now, I know the likelihood of either one responding to me is about a million in one, so be it. It was therapeutic for me just to put the words on paper.

Now, having done so, I can focus on me and my life and how to get it to a place where I have that contentment in reality and not just in my imagination.

If you ever want to talk further, I am here.