Do any of you have imaginary relationships to help you cope?

[Fadeaway]

I guess you could say I never fully let go of my imaginary brother from childhood. I had deep shame about it in my teens and early 20's but I have reframed it im the last few years.

 

[chipman]

In the last year or so I started imagining someone in my life who loved and liked me. I found it was...

Yes I do. The one in my imagination has never let me down

 

[Chem Lady]

I am so encouraged to hear your stories! I have been enjoying my imaginary relationship lately without guilt because of your responses.
Thank you all for sharing!

 

[TruthSeeker]

My mother first told us that we were adopted by a Catholic family who had too many children, then on her death bed she told me that I was given birth to by a schitzophrenic mother….my father was a doctor- and she was in a mental hospital. I would have kept that tidbit of info till the grave, but she didn't and I don't know what she had to gain to tell me. Maybe for once, the truth.

Anyway, my drawing is like an imaginary helper....I draw what I wanted to happen or draw things in a more positive light. So I imagined my birth...not something contentious in a hospital, but something peaceful....an exchange, a loving goodbye from my birthmother, and I drew it. Since I'll really never know the truth, it is healthier to imagine a positive birth. Drawing some things differently, not so negatively charged, helps me cope with the reality I wasn't wanted at birth, and now, I don't want to be around my family....they have helped to make me sick and I need to get to a better place.

Yes I do. The one in my imagination has never let me down

I think it is better to imagine your way to happiness, than it is to stay depressed and without feeling. You go! Creativity and imagination were given for a reason. I watched Anne of Green Gables -Anne with an E, just recently and I imagined belonging.

 

[Ronin]

Not as much an imaginary relationship as way many ideals I am having trouble letting go of and confusion about how the hell is love and comfort and care supposed to look like.

And a couple of survival mechanisms that don't really give a damn if they are my imaginary relationship or what. Not quite wish fullfilling though.

But yeh, for any reason? Normal to have. :) Healthier than having nobody.

 

[TruthSeeker]

That was an awesome movie! Can’t wait to belong in season 2!

 

[PTSDin it]

In the last year or so I started imagining someone in my life who loved and liked me. I found it was...

I totally get it. I would constantly fantasize, when I was child and later when I was an adult and in a dark place that someone was my boyfriend and he was going to save me from everything and take care of me. I'm sorry you're w a narcissist right now. Narcissists suuuuck. Sending you <3

 

[TruthSeeker]

Not as much an imaginary relationship as way many ideals I am having trouble letting go of and confusion a...

I look at other people’s relationships and kinda “ grade them” in the departments of caring/ loving, respect ( respect is critical) , kindness and thoughtfulness and positive impact on each other. I know what an F relationship looks like! I use that as my guide! :yuck::eek::confused::D

 

[Victory]

I used to imagine that I was an orphan, and that my real parents were loving, tragic figures, who had passed away while I ended up being adopted by this psycho couple looking for attention. After all, that's the way my mother and father acted toward us kids. At least my imagining that I was adopted gave me an excuse for the way they acted.

 

[Deleted member 47384]

I spent my whole dang childhood imagining the same thing! I used to imagine there was someone who'd always be happy to see me, who'd really love me and enjoy my company and wouldn't care who knew. Especially since my abuse never happened when there was someone outside the family around - I used to imagine some boyfriend who'd come and spend time with me, and so my family had to treat me "normally". I never really told anyone about it until just now, because it felt silly. I'm glad to see how common of a Thing it is!

Honestly, it never really stopped until I got in a serious, healthy relationship. This was just a couple years ago - I'm in my 20s!