is it normal to be envious of fictional characters?
I love reading. I truly do, it brings out the emotions hidden in me.
I don't want to reveal too much but basically, I don't have a good relationship with my parents. I read a manhua, the main character reconciling with their parents after actually talking it out. The main character forgave his parents. It's not the first time I cried because of scenes like these but this time, I didn't just cry, I also felt envious. How he's able to forgive them. I don't have it in me to forgive my parents for what they'd done. They lost my trust but seeing their reconciliation, I felt devastated. Why couldn't I do it? Why couldn't I forgive them too? But I know deep down, the difference in what the main character and i experienced are too big to even compare it to one another. It's understandable why I can't forgive them but I want to. But I can't. I just can't.
The main character also has a boyfriend and well, I don't have one. I don't mind that I'm not in a relationship at the moment but it felt really bittersweet for me. I want a connection like that too. A connection where they're there for each other.
I have about 4 close friends, 3 men and 1 women. They all know what I'm going through and they are there for me but it's not in that way. They never ask me if I'm okay but they listen to my rants.. but I know they're there for me.
I'm usually the one that asks if they're okay, I'm usually the therapist friend and I envy how they have a friend like me but maybe the problem also lies in me. I'm a very outgoing person so I do have a lot of friends but I don't open up that much. I just handpick who I open up to.
That's why I envy the main character's relationship. I think I'll only ever have someone worrying for me when they're my lover. I never felt like someone actually is worried for me. Most of the time, I feel like I'm just brushed off as. It's crazy out here.
Well that's kind of the point isn't it? Its an escape from reality and often that reality is a more idealized version of our own, so its natural to feel envious of them.
reply
13 04,2024
Uh i used to have the same problem as you and just to share what my therapist said but I do have communication problem. I also very rarely open up about myself, I used to think I was the therapist friend too and think my friends didn't care so much about me as I care for them. I also think that only my (at that time non existing) partner would be t......
3 reply
14 04,2024
Already said by others but manga, anime, books, show etc are an escape from reality.
Fun fact(I think): the majority of isekai fantasy shounen have the "loser" protagonist formula bc they sell the redo over fantasy. They sell the "fantasy" that the protagonist mistakes and the consequences of their actions can be redone. When in real life there's......
reply
13 04,2024
srry u gotta go through that but being envious of characters is not healthy. pls remember these stories are often an idealized version of what we wished happen. i think it is best to find a new friend (or anyone) that actually cares, and no u do not need to have a lover for someone 2 care/worry abt u, just someone who’s genuine.
reply
13 04,2024
Welcome to the world of escapism my g
People have been turning to books and movies and games for the same reasons for a very long time. "Don't have a father in your life? Read these 50 isekai princess with loving father stories so you can see what it's like." - fiction's no. 1 appeal
reply
13 04,2024
As a person who also feels envy at one time with fictional characters, i think its normal. I mean, the things that happen in books are decided by the author and their ending already sealed by the hands of author, and we can see the progress. What i can say is, i hope it doesnt come off mean, but we also need to work on ourselves to progress. We're ......
reply
13 04,2024