rediscovering spirituality after Maladaptive Daydreaming

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❧ SOURCES
• www.sleepfound...
• Maladaptive daydreaming as a new form of behavioral addiction". Journal of Behavioral Addictions
• “Parallel Lives”, Eli Somer
• “Maladaptive Daydreaming: A Qualitative Inquiry” by Eli Somer
I also am a co-host of the the podcast Test Tubes and Cauldrons, an intersection of science and spirituality. Find us here or anywhere you get podcasts: / @testtubesandcauldrons...
❧ HELPFUL KZbin CHANNELS
• Aliakai: https: / aliakai
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• Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k
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• Edited in Premiere Pro

[@FeltheBlithe]

Thanks again to Aura for sponsoring this video and supporting my mindfulness through my burnout. The first 500 people to use my link will get a 7 day free trial and 25% off Aura membership for your first year. To get started: www.aurahealth.io/feltheblithe

[@ivangelinem.9479]

i’ve struggled with maladaptive daydreaming all my life i remember being 6 or 7 visualizing and acting out stories with characters i’d seen on TV, i’ve gotten to a place now where i’ve begun to heal and i use daydreaming less now, you video is so impactful to me because i’ve wrestled with my spirituality vs my psychosis, maladaptive daydreaming delusions , and anxiety, it makes me feel like “well how can i know the gods exist , my experiences with them must just be my mind” idk what i’m saying, i really appreciate your video that’s all lol

[@FeltheBlithe]

I’m glad you enjoyed it and it spoke to you!! It certainly is something not a lot of people talk about and hoped my story would encourage others

[@youremyfavoritesong9868]

The best thing I've ever discovered after struggling with maladaptive daydreaming for so long is that if I put on something like beach or forest sounds, if I focus really hard I can imagine myself in that environment without starting a whole dialogue with the characters I've made up. If I keep really, really focused, it's just me on a beach, or on a cliffside watching mountain goats, or in a treehouse. I still struggle with it but using it to meditate is so so nice for me, if I can manage not to get derailed and start getting sucked in too far

[@chronicdooler]

Love your content... Being neurodivergent myself I often get lost in my mind and it feels similar to what your describing

[@FeltheBlithe]

Thanks for the kind words! And glad some of it resonated with you

[@jenniboldt4131]

The way you were able to describe it and put into words what I have been feeling my whole life 🙌

[@uwgegehejsbajwh]

I had an intense crush on a foreign guy who never showed his face and has been writing seduction articles since he was 15-16 years old (today he says he's 31). He was my last crush. He was quite cheeky. I never met him. Never. It was loneliness and my reluctance to accept reality that made me "stay" with him for so long. His personality reminded me of the character Johnny from the movie Fantastic Four. It's something so intense that I used to get carried away imagining what his life was like in 2008, 2009, 2010... I'd listen to the songs that were hot at the time (Shakira, Rihanna, Nelly Furtado (Say It Right, Maneater), Timbaland (The Way I Are --- I doubt he didn't listen to that one on the clubs), Lady Marmalade, Britney Spears) and I'd think about if and how he listened to and felt listening to those songs, the emotion and youthful adrenaline in all that, the girls he got involved with. Me, a short girl with a childish face! I'm not ugly, but I don't think that for that time in 2008, when he was already 15 years old, compared to me, who was only 6, I wouldn't have caught his attention, even if I had been his age and lived in the same country as him. I discovered the existence of this guy at the end of 2020, when I was 17. I even thought about the movies from his time --- when I was stuck in home --- and whether he watched them (Fantastic Four, Jennifers Body--- with Megan Fox, Transformers --- with Megan Fox, How To Lose Friends --- with Megan, Mean Girls...). I also thought about how attracted and enchanted by actresses Megan Fox and Liv Tyler he would be if he saw them (in his most recent blog he said he was crazy about blue-eyed brunettes). Thinking about this made me more inclined to continue daydreaming. I fantasized about having their physical appearance and kept swapping them around. There was a time when I would fall asleep at three in the morning from daydreaming so much! Even though I was exhausted. I used to listen to Lana Del Rey's Carmen a lot, imagining myself as the most irresistible girl of all - the song talks about this a lot. I hoped my mother would leave the house so I could daydream with more intensity and less fear. I also listened to Notorious Big. Daydreaming makes you listen to any song that matches the situation/moment you want to be a part of. My last and most striking character was a badass girl who wore men's and women's clothes at the same time. In my daydreams I didn't listen to contemporary music so much as music from the 80s and 90s, which has a unique style. I listened to a lot of Michael Jackson in my fantasies.

[@emilykestrel5446]

Very interesting video! I have had periods of my life ruled by maladaptive daydreaming, and it’s weird how when I am not in a MD phase, it’s like I can’t daydream at all. Like the gate to my inner world is just closed. Then when I am entering an MD phase, it’s like I will get a flicker of it first, almost like an invitation, before I dive in. It’s been over a decade now since it’s happened, and while I recognize it’s ultimately an unhealthy coping strategy, I still kind of miss it.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Fascinating! MD can certainly be a strange disorder. It's one of those things that can be very hard to balance between not experiencing it at all and feeling like you're experiencing it too much.

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

This video definitely resonates. I've been a maladaptive daydreamer since I can remember (I'm 50 now), probably from a difficult lonely childhood, probably from a strong imagination, probably from my autism...who knows. It's become such a part of my day to day life that I almost can't imagine being without such daydreams. And you're right, trying to explain it to people who have no MD experience is hard. And so I usually keep it from people, like a shameful secret. I even have struggled telling my therapists over the years, because I feel I have to try to make sure they know that they're not hallucinations, that I know I'm daydreaming and that those daydreams are not real, but they're still there and they act as a comfort for me (or a stim, I'd probably say, these days) nonetheless. But yes, I've lost hours/days/months/years to MD. And sometimes I don't know how to feel about that (the quote about feeling like a ghost in your life definitely resonated), but it's still there. I just try my best not to demonize it, but instead try to remember how much it has soothed me when I needed it or even helped me plot stories and a novel I hope to publish one day. And finally I also try to give myself grace when I try and exist in the real world instead, knowing that it will not be as easy as my own worlds where everything is in my control and safe. Basically, I let MD always be a safety net, but try to get out in the world as well.

[@samjensen6187]

I was already relating to the stuff about vivid daydreams, neurodivergence, OCD...and then you mentioned Anne of Green Gables! I live on Prince Edward Island, and that story is a huge factor in our tourist economy.

[@kristianjennings4407]

I too am struggling with constant daydreaming. It has been my way of life ever since I was a child all the way to my adulthood. We appreciate you sharing this with us, I just want to know any advice when it comes to dealing with MD, it can be exhausting and difficult for me to focus due to my impulsive daydreaming. Thank You!

[@FeltheBlithe]

thank you for the kind words! I have definitely been where you are. honestly one thing that really helped me was practicing different kinds of meditation, especially ones where you count your breath and any thought is simply noted: "thinking". It can feel a bit like pulling teeth, but I did notice a shift after a month of this kind of work.

[@artie4059]

hi!! i'm a relatively new subscriber and i have to say.. i was listening in a very serious/calm manner because my life has been negatively impacted by maladaptive daydreaming for almost 20 years, but i had to stop and almost YELLLLL when you said you would daydream with sonic because same???? and i've always been embarrassed about it lmao (i would even write him letters when i was like 8 helPPPP) edit: "instead of getting trapped in the isolation of my inner world, i can see the gods and the stars, i can hear Hermes in my friends' laughter, i can feel Zeus in the rain. now i can live in the world that the Gods made" now you have me crying. thank you so much for making this video

[@djbean333]

PTMD not PTSD why do i feel like (post traumatic maladaptive daydreaming) is the more accurate description what soldiers are going through. Recently watched a movie called 'thank you for your service' what day was seeing and going through PTSD doesn't sound like the full description of what was on display while watching this movie. PTMD, i wonder!

[@Aquoknight]

Man I had maladaptive day dreams literally make my body experience full on grief (high heart rate, crying, hard of breathe) because I went too deep and made someone's death feel too real

[@FeltheBlithe]

I have definitely been there, too. 💚

[@visionplant]

Strange how there's a word for something I've been doing for as long as I can remember. Good to know I'm not alone.

[@FeltheBlithe]

It was definitely eye opening when I first realized there was a name for something I’d always known.

[@helmoonkitty8583]

This is very interesting. It reminds me of something that I do but not quite to such an extent. Thank you. Blessings 🕯️

[@slh14x]

i've been maladaptive daydreaming for as long as i can remember. i'm always worried that the experiences i have with the gods are just my imagination but i've found ways to tell them apart, and using divination such as tarot to ask if something was a coincidence or not is so helpful. i believe i have clair senses but i don't rely on them alone, i always ask for external signs and use divination to help my discernment. it can be tedious at times but it's so worth it when i can validate my experiences and know when something is pure coincidence.

[@FeltheBlithe]

I'm glad you've found a method that works for you! Definitely crosschecking signs can be very helpful in telling them apart.

[@SimpleMandy]

I felt so seen with this!! Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s is when I experienced the worst traumas of my life. I stumbled into MD as a way to have relationships, intimate connections and explore emotional depths. There would be days I would not get out of bed because of the daydreaming. It was so much better, at the time, than anything in "real life." It took away about 8 years of my life and missing events around me. As well as building actual relationships (trust issues FTW!). It took a wake up call to make me realize what I was doing and jolt me back to "reality." I do have it under control now but, like you, I allow it to flourish with my writing, video games, and other avenues of creativity.

[@eternallytree6603]

as a new hellenic polytheist with maladaptive daydreaming this is so nice and healing to watch :) thank you for this!

[@johnlemon3581]

Is been so long, good hair color btw

[@FeltheBlithe]

Thanks!! And it’s good to be posting again

[@PoppyRoseWitch]

Thanks so much for making this video. I wasn’t able to put my daydreaming experience into words until now. ❤

[@FeltheBlithe]

I'm so happy this video was able to help give you those words! 🫶

[@ericademboski1511]

Wow, I've always done this but never knew there was a name for it. Thank you for this video!

[@FeltheBlithe]

Glad it was able to help you put a name to something!

[@uwgegehejsbajwh]

I hope that a treatment method for MD will be developed. Nowadays it is talked about.

[@jmfana9154]

The fundamental practice for me is to find a way to live in Harmony with myself. You inspire me in how you seek and develop your actions to align even more with yourself. This is what I believe the true meaning of Eusebeia/Dharma to be. 🙏

[@Davlavi]

Hey love the hair style you got this time.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Thanks!! It's been fun to have and style

[@gregcampwriter]

For me, walking and coming up with stories was an escape from my fundamentalist Christian parents and that culture that they forced me to live in. I've mined those stories in later life for my writing.

[@FeltheBlithe]

I can definitely relate to this, it was very much the same for me for many years.

[@gregcampwriter]

@@FeltheBlithe I do also get the isolation involved. I'd never heard of anyone else having this particular experience.

[@JustAnElderscroll]

Just marry me already Fel 😍

[@FeltheBlithe]

but I'm already married to the moon!

[@Raphsophomes]

"Lost hours of my life" You are a walking beautiful example of how it was worth every second to me. Dont discredit yourself.... I think as long as your balanced, its okay. Just take responsibility and awareness, i have the same issue... Look at the characters as archatypes. Sometimes you have an archatype of the deity. They exist in the collective unconscious, where do you think ideas come from? I look at the trinity, "Mind, concrete (body) and spirit" Psychology IS real, concrete is concrete, and the spiritual is also real. When 1 goes out of balance, you run into issues. Maintaining your body is important, being aware of what reality is, being logical and having frameworks, and being spiritual, all equally real, equally important. Many spiritual people neglect logic, or concrete, and suffer immensely. Same goes for leaning too far in all the others.

[@sabbiosaurus101]

I understand the struggles of this, and how it can be hard to work threw.. as someone who doesn't have this condition, whom is also a Hellenic Polytheist, and who happens to be, and believe I am clairaudient (do to many experiences, even connecting with past relatives and shocking my own mother with the info they could give me). I do not think it's fair to assume clairs do not exists.. because if so, what do we make of all the psychic mediums and clair individuals who do actually help people, and are truly psychic. With my clairaudience, I questioned it at first, I questioned if it was real, and at some point, I just had to accept that it was a real gift I do have.. because not accepting it was driving me more crazy than accepting it, and time after time again hearing what the gods have to say to me, without fail it has never been intrusive, ever. The voices that I hear in my subconscious mind, the communication that I get always sound different to my own voice, but each time when Aphrodite for example communicates with me using clairaudience, he voice always sounds the same as before. I have had very vivid emotional experiences just talking to her, and relating to her. It really proves to me how much I truly appreciate Aphrodite for all that she does for me, and for all of us. The icing on the cake is this, Aphrodite comforts me when I am in a depressive state of mind, and I know for a fact that I myself have never been able to comfort myself, and without Aphrodite intervening with my state of mind, helping me to feel better.. without her I would never feel better.. Truly I don't know for a 100% fact that I have clairaudience, but from my experiences, and the way it plays out, it really does seem real and potent. Could I just have an off-shoot of maladaptive daydreaming? ..perhaps I would not know how to tell personally.. the thing that makes me think I have a clair gift is because the voices are NEVER malicious in nature, they never bring me down, they only lift me up, and honestly no human on earth has bothered to ever do this for me, to life me up, and make me feel adequate in life. The voices must be the gods, as gods are better than humans.. I would like to know your analysis, or opinion about this Fel.. if you would be willing to provide it.

[@FeltheBlithe]

I don't feel comfortable dictating whether someone's experience is "real" or imagined, we each have our own unique perspectives and histories. If you feel that it is soothing you and is helpful and not destructive, then it is what works and is helpful for you!

[@youeatsomepie]

this video is so refreshing it's good to know other people share the same struggles seriously thanks for talking about all of this

[@FeltheBlithe]

I'm so glad it spoke to you! Hearing our struggles echoed can really do wonders in us feeling not-so-alone 💚

[@emmi3606]

Thank you❤️ thank you so much!! This was really helpful ❤️‍🩹