Exploring the Mind: Love for Fictional Characters

Do you ever feel a deep, inexplicable connection to a fictional character? Is it considered a flaw or a sign of my inner turmoil? Perhaps it's time to explore this phenomenon and understand its complexity.

Understanding the Attachment to Fictional Characters

It is completely normal to feel a strong attachment to a fictional character. This emotional bond can serve as a way to explore feelings, engage with stories, and even find comfort during difficult times. The attachment itself is not indicative of being mentally unwell, but rather a common experience that can offer a sense of solace and identity.

However, if this attachment interferes with your daily life or relationships, it may be worth reflecting on or discussing with someone. Ultimately, enjoying and connecting with fictional characters is a normal part of being a fan of storytelling and can provide a sense of escapism in times of need.

Why We Fall for Fictional Characters

Often, the character we are attached to can be seen as an idealized version of our perfect partner. However, more likely, the character holds a reflection of our own idealized self. This internal version of ourselves is projected onto the screen, and we see a manifestation of our inner desires and aspirations.

This phenomenon is not about being weird, but rather embracing our best and highest self when it is portrayed in art. The attachment to a fictional character is a normal and often comforting experience, as we all have this inner version of ourselves that we strive to manifest.

The Subconscious and Romantic Love

Love, or rather it's longing, is often compared to a torpedo - a powerful force that strikes without considering or choosing. It defies reality, reason, and rationality. Underlying this blind passion are subconscious motives, desires, and hankering. Just like the torpedo, love simply hits the target and then prevails. It is too late to fight against it or change its course once it makes contact with its target.

Considering that even real human beings are, in a sense, fictional once we fall in love with them (as we only idealize and project onto them), the attachment to a fictional character is not as peculiar as it may seem. It is natural to seek an ideal, whether it be a novel character or a real person. Falling for a fictional character is simply a more literal acceptance of this idealization process.

Navigating the Emotions: Prioritizing Reality

While it is important to allow yourself to love a fictional character, it is equally important to hold on to your reality. This includes your relationships and daily life. It is possible to embrace both the fictional love and your real life without completely letting go of one to pursue the other.

One possible solution is to try to find and nurture the qualities you admire in your boyfriend. Alternatively, while it may feel heartless, staying with your current partner might be the better option if they are currently worth your time, as you will never find a perfect replica of a fictional character.

Love for a fictional character does not mean that you must abandon your life. Embrace the companionship of your fictional love, but remember to cherish your real life and the relationships that exist within it. In these rare cases, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Love on, dream on, and remember to hold onto your life. Just enjoy the journey and live it to the fullest while cherishing both your fictional and real connections.