omigod why is he here in the headspace. Homeless forever.

[howtoliveyourlife]

Now, mundane, I realize that you are aware that this roleplay activity of yours is meant to be purely fiction. And there's nothing wrong with pretend every now and again.

 

However, blurring the line between reality and fiction by having me guiding your thought process in this roleplay business is simply worrisome. Studies have linked extended sessions of pretend roleplay to escapism, loneliness, obesity, stunted social growth and many more effects that will make it difficult for a young person to adjust to society.

 

So my advice to you? Try stepping away from the computer for a few days. Socialize. Talk to people your own age. While it's not bad to engage in roleplay every once in a while, to fully throw yourself into it will cause you harm in the long run. And this applies to all of you reading my post, as well.

 

...

 

...

 

... now would be a good time to apply my advice, mundane, instead of giving me a sour look about it.

Comments

...I can't tell whether to hate you or love you.

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

[Trixie gives an arrogant smile.]

The Great an Powerful Trixie may be able to be willing to give your mundane one of her dazzling, awe-inspiring private performances.

it's okay, IDK whether to hate myself or not either

[howtoliveyourlife]

That would depend on the kind of performance you speak of.

Though I must note, your constant referral to yourself as great and powerful, to me, belies insecurities about yourself.

I've seen it in many kids; they feel badly about themselves to the point that they make up things about themselves, overstate their own abilities to make themselves better than they are.

I do not apologize.

[observesthings]

[ This is a really, really bad idea. ]

What can you tell me about mine?

I am not sorry, then?

[howtoliveyourlife]

About your mundane, or about yourself?

In regards to your mun, he's an interesting case. He projects himself as being innocent, and yet many of those who truly know him can see that he's anything but. It's a classic case of being a recluse; being on the outside, looking in. He also seems to be a slight crybaby at times, too; when his innocence or facade is breached, he reacts with tears. Whether or not these are crocodile tears, I have yet to determine based on initial findings.

Interestingly enough, his own personality is mirrored in you, as well. You're quiet, unassuming. You blend in and you're not the type to get involved unless you're forced into it. It's quite interesting, really -- studies into the behaviors of roleplay mundanes indicate that they tend to gravitate toward two extremes: they get muses who are similar to them in personality, or they pick muses who are completely opposite theirs. Your mundane falls squarely into the former.

[no_more_hiding]

I would be very curious about these studies you mention. May I ask who performed them? And perhaps more importantly, who paid for them?

[howtoliveyourlife]

There are multiple learning institutions such as Harvard and Yale that discuss both the positives and the negatives of roleplay.

Much of the research regarding the role of roleplay in fantasy escapism was conducted by MIT and several research members across the world, in particular Germany.

[atomic_wrath]

[Godzilla wished his Mun would apply this advice, but he literally laughs at the thought of socializing that doesn't take place with a computer. Or exercise.

True, Godzilla wasn't very much into that himself but if it would get his Mun off his case, he wouldn't mind that in the least.]

[howtoliveyourlife]

[ It's okay, Dr. Phil can relate. He thinks that his mun may be a lost cause, seeing as how he shuns more social interation than needed... ]

[slendy_ohcrap]

[Please Dr. Phil, analyzer Slenderman. He has a lot of issues. Like stalking white college dudes. Or appearing without any scientific explanation. Or having mysterious motives.

Explain quick. He is right behind you.]

my sincerest apologies for the threadjack but i felt this was necessary

[cameraobscura]

[You also might wanna take note of this guy, filming the whole thing.]

[feudal_miko]

Someone who is trapped in the realm of "role-play" has no choice but to follow their mundane's orders. Is that why you suggest they leave the hobby behind?

For some of us, our lives are not worth returning to.

[howtoliveyourlife]

That is my point, yes. To take those and impose their will on them... it's wholly horrific. These mundanes, who push their whims and frustrations on those in the headspace; they're not much better than abusers. Though considering that those who abuse have undergone a history of being abused themselves, that can also make them pitiable, in a sense.

Still, that is indeed a grey area. I admit, the psychology behind those who choose the stay with these mundanes even after everything that's happened remains a mystery both to myself and other experts in the field. Some call it a classic case of Stockholm syndrome, but I believe that the causes as to why some stay with their mundanes are more complex. For example, the very reason yourself that you put out, that their previous lives were no better than what they have now.

[judgement_in_monochrome]

Your words are sincere and you are attempting to help your mundane with their insecurities. This is an admirable thing.

However, they will not listen if you tell them to step away from it for any length of time. Treat them as you would addicts, as this is truly their vice.

[howtoliveyourlife]

I'm starting to realize that. Addictions are very difficult to really break, I've noticed; studies have mentioned that while the relapse rates differ based on the severity of the addiction as well as the substance, they're usually in the ballpark of 50 to 90%...

Still, that just means that there's a 10 to 50% chance of breaking the addiction, which itself is good odds, I would think.

[hatesteenagers]

[Have a bit of evil cackling.]

This roleplay stuff stunts the social growth of young people? How marvelously evil! Once I've harnessed the power of roleplay, the Power Rangers will be powerless against it!

[howtoliveyourlife]

... now I realize that my address was to mundanes everywhere, but my advice can also very well apply to you, as well.

How old are you? You look to be far too old to be engaging in the same roleplay fantasy escapism that the youth of this generation are participating in.

[soangryicouldtinkle]

Hey, you, shiny.

I need some advice.

[howtoliveyourlife]

What advice would you like? I can't tell you what I can suggest if you don't tell me the root of the problem.

[papershippers]

(Well that's very nice and dandy good sir, but as for the ones who would heed such words? Those are far and few between. But the power of a wish will cross any such distance in order to come true.

On the ground is such a wish given physical form. A paper airplane with a kiss mark in red lipstick. It is completely inanimate, but somehow feels more than just a paper airplane. What could it be...?)

[howtoliveyourlife]

[ Not someone he can talk to, sadly. So it will just sit and be ignored until something happens otherwise. ]

[golden_hawke]

-=Cue in one half naked young man looking like a curious puppy.=-

What kind of words are you speaking?


-=He sounds slightly Russian.=-

[howtoliveyourlife]

[ wow where's your clothes young man promiscuity is frowned upon :| ]

Life advice for those who need help, whether it be with family problems, addictions, emotional problems or personal tragedy.

all this time I thought I was the only Dr. Phil

[imbald]

Now I'm not sure what your aim is here, but you do look and talk exactly like me.

You see, while sometimes it's fun to do some escapism and pretend to be someone else, I think you've gone a little too far here.

omigod another Dr. Phil. Beautiful

[howtoliveyourlife]

Exactly like you. Now I'm sure that I'm the only me that looks and talks like me.

Perhaps it's you who is engaging in escapism, to an unhealthy degree -- while I am flattered that you're such a fan, to take this as far as you've let it tells me that you might have serious problems.

[ladyofrivendell]

I doubt very highly that your words will have any influence upon your... mundane.

[howtoliveyourlife]

Even so, someone has to tell the mundanes. Otherwise they're not going to know that there are ways we can help them break free from their addiction to roleplay.

[shadow_spread]

My mundane seems to think I've helped her become better at "networking," though I'm not too sure about that.

[howtoliveyourlife]

And I won't lie, there are some benefits to roleplay. Increased writing skills, better networking skills, and some degree of interaction with those that share the same hobbies are some of the positives that can come out of being involved in roleplay.

However, if it becomes something akin to an addiction, where you can't live without it? That is where expert advice and intervention may be needed.

[ghostintheanimus]

       Brainwashing propaganda to^ol! Oprah was one of them from the very beginning!

[howtoliveyourlife]

Oprah? Yes, she's a colleague of mine... would you like me to redirect you to her, then?

[puzzler]

I do find this 'roleplay' quite intriguing, myself. I am not sure why my mundane enjoys it so much. I can, at the very least, say that mine knows when to focus more on his studies... most of the time, that is.

[howtoliveyourlife]

I believe it may be in the camaraderie between those of similar interests... it's intriguing. The society of roleplay is in many ways similar to regular society. Being around those that understand them helps mundanes to grow and thrive in that respect.

But when they let their Internet lives interfere with real-world responsibilities, that is where the issue lies, I think. It's admirable that your mundane has some degree of self-control where that is involved -- most mundanes don't.

[surgicalprodigy]

Doctor?

The cutting kind or the one who sits around on a couch kind?

[myprecioussss]

What does the filthy human say, precious? We're not listeninng!

Has he seen it? Has he seen the precious that the Bagginses took?

[letmewserveyou]

[So a pink cat floats into a bar...]

Mew?

[tinygingerllama]

[A llama lurks behind the couch. Staring.]

/totally read this post in Dr. Phil's voice

[selphie_t]

Nah! I don't think your mun or mine are going to stop roleplaying.

Besides, it's kinda like creative writing!

[dissectinghersmile]

I don't think my mun appreciates the insinuation that she'll contract more problems, Doctor. And besides, she has me, I'm sure I can diagnose and treat her.

[Okay, Shinra, like you don't have your own problems.]

[nexttarget]

[ Blink. ] Dude you can't call yourself a Dr. Oprah's show isn't college.