My (unhealthy?) Disney obsession

[WDW1974]

Honestly, what you described sounds pretty unhealthy. It's normal for people to daydream about escaping the rat race. How many moms have visions of escaping the kiddies?? It's when you engage in risky behavior to act upon your urges that you cross a line into unhealthy territory. I know in my family we all tend to have addictive personalities where we get into something on big levels. I try to keep that in mind & keep myself in check. Once is one thing but if you find yourself risking your job, etc anymore to indulge the addiction (whatever it may be) you may want to seek some counseling. Oftentimes it's totally unrelated voids that push a person beyond the norm to fill those spaces with whatever feel-good tool they fixate on. Ya know?

You just put it a LOT nicer than I would have (had I not seen this post). Heck, someone pointed the thread to me or I wouldn't have seen it.

But my serious assessment is some sort of mental illness is at play. Maybe 'just' depression, but even that is not a good thing. That behavior is not normal, not healthy and, sorry to anyone here who feels otherwise, but not to be encouraged.

A WDW addiction isn't healthy, just like anything else. And leaving the way you did is well beyond irresponsible.
Honestly, you need help and I hope you get some.

 

[WDW1974]

I didn't make contact until the evening the day I left. I let my boss know I was having this crisis after a friend of mine told me to call. People were freaking out calling the cops and local hospitals, which I did feel quite bad about. I talked to a few while there, but I told no one that I was going that afternoon. It didn't even occur to me. I just went.

seriously, if you aren't playing everyone here and this is serious: seek professional help, do not wait, do not make a ressie at the Poly first.

You got some major issues going on.

 

[WDW1974]

If my company were to relocate to Florida, I'd be a heck of a lot happier.

Why?

So you could live in theme parks and pretend the real world and whatever the heck you're running from doesn't exist?

That's sad and you aren't alone. Many people move to O-Town to be closer to the Mouse, like that will somehow solve their life issues. For the vast majority, it doesn't.

They just pretend they're happy while seeing Wishes five times a week. Not healthy and not what WDW was created for.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

You just put it a LOT nicer than I would have (had I not seen this post). Heck, someone pointed the thread to me or I wouldn't have seen it.

But my serious assessment is some sort of mental illness is at play. Maybe 'just' depression, but even that is not a good thing. That behavior is not normal, not healthy and, sorry to anyone here who feels otherwise, but not to be encouraged.

A WDW addiction isn't healthy, just like anything else. And leaving the way you did is well beyond irresponsible.
Honestly, you need help and I hope you get some.

Well, the key to communicating with these sorts of things is not to point a finger or make a person feel badly about themselves. I know in my own personal experiences there's no better way to get me to shut down & shut someone out than to make me feel judged or ridiculed. Mostly I try to relate experiences, struggles, mistakes, and successes I've had so a person can self-evaluate objectively and not feel alone. Believe me, I'm no angel and understanding that addictive/compulsive side of myself, seeing it so prevalent in my extended family, has been a huge key to learning to manage and function like a normal person. I know it's not fun to be on the emotional rollercoaster that comes with these issues. Clarity is what I seek most. I hope others who have these same types of quirks or flaws (& none of us are perfect) can learn to understand what it is, how it works, and how they came to be that way. But, yes, I feel for this person and recognize that key to going to far: engaging in risky behavior. That's the big red flag.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Well I am guilty of:

- Running to WDW to escape personal problems
- Being obsessive about WDW
- Walking away from a job during lunch break for no apparant reason. Me, I got fired though. Bastards!

On the upside, I have never mixed the three. Not even the first two - I'm aware of the danger that would pose. I am therefore happy - rationally but not emotionally - that I am one ocean away from Florida.


Don't end up like one of those people Spirit has often mentioned: the no-lifers who hang out in the MK four times a week. That's not a life, that is not an option. It really isn't even one step up from playing the slot machines in Vegas every day for fifteen years.

Sort out any mess, and return WDW to a proper dimension: a fun two weeks of escapism a year, whether taken in one long or in two short trips. Your job and your friends are your life. They are reality. WDW is the diversion, the fantasy. It is not reality.

 

[bennyw01]

You can have too much of a good thing.

Sounds like an irresponsible addiction to the happiness you feel when being in WDW.

Don't get me wrong I am a massive fan and contribute to the Disney feeling every day but I would never instantly uproot without any infrastructure to do so let alone put my well being at risk hence why I call it an addiction.

Just out of interest do you have any friends/family or a partner as interested as you are? you'd find that your life becomes a hell of a lot easier if you had a partner to share and enjoy the time outside of the world, without back seating it all together.

Also you are very lucky for being able to even drive there, I came back from the world on Saturday and it costs me hundreds in airfares. Prioritizing you're responsibilities makes going to the world that much better! especially if you have someone to share it with because at the moment it sounds like a very selfish obsession.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I wish I lived down there... merely to be able to accomplish my photographic goals in Disney. It's a vacation destination, and I'm sure there are some local photographers shooting there but:

all you is digital work...

You never see people making real work in large format or MF photography. That would be my goal, but traveling with my gear is impossible.

 

[KCheatle]

I live in a constant dichotomy of "I want to go now" and "but you can't go now." It's tough because I like you am truly happy in Disney. It's not like I'm not happy anywhere else, it's just an entirely other level of happiness that I long for all the time. It's almost like a drug. I'm definitely addicted, but I can't let it take over my life.

I've questioned too whether I would be happier if I just moved to Florida and made it more accessible and I've come to the conclusion that if I did that it would take away the happiness from me because it would be too accessible. It's one of those things that if I over-do it, then the happiness I get from it will be gone. I have to tell myself that the distance and difficulty in getting there is one of hte reasons it is so magical for me and is such an escape. That's also one of the reasons I don't take weenend trips. It needs to be a big deal - a dream. Keep telling yourself that. DIscipline yourself. If you go too much you will lose the happiness. And for goodness sakes - do not work there!! I'll tell you what, once it becomes a job for you, no matter how much you love it, it will change it forever!!

 

[JIMINYCR]

Wish I could walk off my job and go to WDW. But as the boss I would have to fire myself, and I can't afford to do that cause I've got bills to pay.

 

[rufio]

Why?

So you could live in theme parks and pretend the real world and whatever the heck you're running from doesn't exist?

That's sad and you aren't alone. Many people move to O-Town to be closer to the Mouse, like that will somehow solve their life issues. For the vast majority, it doesn't.

They just pretend they're happy while seeing Wishes five times a week. Not healthy and not what WDW was created for.

I agree with the rest of what you said, but this isn't really fair, in my opinion.

I am hoping to move to Florida in the next few years and yes, I love WDW and Disney in general. I don't think that moving there will somehow solve my life issues. I think that it will make me happy to be closer. My fiance is a Merchant Marine and works away from home for 2+ months at a time. If I were able to continue going to school a couple of hours from WDW and visit every now and then on the weekends then, yes, that would make me happy. It wouldn't solve all of my problems, but it would give me a few hours of enjoyment once a month or so while I'm home alone and my then-husband is away.

So like I said, I feel like your judgment of people who move just to be closer to the World is rather harsh and unfair, at least for some of us.

 

[MrsWhiffo]

I dream of just taking off and going to WDW (a little hard when it is a hop, skip and 3k mile flight away), so in that respect you are living the dream.

BUT (and its a big one) if you are seriously having this urge to "Escape" all the time; be it to WDW or somewhere else, I would suggest you get some support. Escaping tendencies tend to be a sign of depression.

Depression is serious business, but with the right love and support it doesn't have to hold you back, or change the person you are. I have had really similar problems before and I am sure there will be times in my future when the "Black Dog" might return, but knowing how to deal with it makes it so much easier.

I may be completely wrong and really you are just sticking it to the man. I hope that the latter is right and we may be a bunch of strange geeky people (no offence intended) but I am sure that I don't speak alone in saying that we will be here if you need somebody to talk too.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I wish I had a job out in FL...That way at night I can head out to the parks know they are open 365 days in the year..But I'm stuck with a Six Flags park 45 mins from me and it's open 6 months in the year...blah.

 

[njDizFan]

I don't see a problem..you should do it again...you're young and it will be something you remember your whole life. Carpe Diem

Disclaimer****not actual advice***

 

[Maerj]

I mentioned this at my job and I was told that we would only get half of a point if we did something like that. 9 points and you're fired. At least he called and told them about the crisis.

 

[alissafalco]

I wish I had a job out in FL...That way at night I can head out to the parks know they are open 365 days in the year..But I'm stuck with a Six Flags park 45 mins from me and it's open 6 months in the year...blah.

And you forgot to mention six flags is a dump ....at least the one in jersey is

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I don't see a problem..you should do it again...you're young and it will be something you remember your whole life. Carpe Diem

Disclaimer****not actual advice***

Actually...why shouldn't that be serious advice?

Youth needs to be enjoyed. You need to do the stupid things too. Heck, there are worse things one can do than to rush to WDW for a quick fix.
Maybe the problem is that the adult life took hold of our OP too soon. A life of chores, boredom, repetition. At too young an age.

 

[njDizFan]

Actually...why shouldn't that be serious advice?

Youth needs to be enjoyed. You need to do the stupid things too. Heck, there are worse things one can do than to rush to WDW for a quick fix.
Maybe the problem is that the adult life took hold of our OP too soon. A life of chores, boredom, repetition. At too young an age.

Oh I agree. I actually do believe what I wrote, just a sarcastic disclaimer.
Live your life...middle age sucks

 

[ddbowdoin]

I am so torn reading this, and as I reflect on my own current situation in life there is a small amount of jealousy. I've always been fairly conservative, always gainfully employed, and never went through a wild phase in my life. I'd love to just be able to run off and have the attitude that I could make life in FL work, or make a living wage in WDW, or be able to come home and simply find another job. While many might chastise you for your actions there is certainly an aspect that commands some respect for your passion and courage. Many talk the talk, but you sir walked it.. and for that, I must bow slightly with some admiration for your logic.

 

[David Roberts]

To the OP.. get a clue. Their are a ton of people right now who are not in Disney who would like to have a week of work, yet you somehow take off for a week because your sad or something and still have a job? I guarentee this story would not be very popular with the countless people in the Orlando area who are unemployed. Do yourself a favor, either move there and work for Disney; in which case you better work on your work ethic because there is no way you could just leave work and go on vacation for a week. Or option 2, you could grow up and get your Disney fix once or twice a year like most the people on this forum.

 

[Maerj]

To the OP.. get a clue. Their are a ton of people right now who are not in Disney who would like to have a week of work, yet you somehow take off for a week because your sad or something and still have a job? I guarentee this story would not be very popular with the countless people in the Orlando area who are unemployed. Do yourself a favor, either move there and work for Disney; in which case you better work on your work ethic because there is no way you could just leave work and go on vacation for a week. Or option 2, you could grow up and get your Disney fix once or twice a year like most the people on this forum.

Oh, and don't forget...

Have a Magical Day!​

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