Hello!
I'm 16. I enjoy running, somewhat like school, and love hanging out my friends and family.
My daydreaming started when I was 6-7, but possibly I was even younger. I have always been aware that my daydreams are unique, but only recently have I wanted to find out more about them.
I'll briefly explain my story with daydreams - though I hope to explain more in future posts.. I have always daydreamed about this family of 7: two parents and their 5 kids (as well as any other characters they interact with).. I mainly daydream through the boy, who is my age, and one of his little sister's. I know A TON about this family and I have fun coming up with facts about them and their hobbies. I sometimes make the characters do things I do, but also things that I can't do. The characters struggle with stuff, overcome it. There are realistic and elaborate plots to my daydreams.
My real self and other people from my real life also appear in the daydreams. The family lives in my town and my sister is in the same class as the boy (she has no clue haha).
I have drawn these characters, written fake text messages between them, and spent hours researching and googling just to add to my daydreams. I guess I am attached to them. Creating new "main characters" would be really hard..
I daydream most often before bed. Sometimes I daydream in the morning, in the car while listening to music, and in the shower. Only when I am alone do I make facial expressions, whisper, or even cry. When I watch movies or read books, I obsess over placing my characters in these scenarios. I experiment with different scenarios for my daydreams and even daydream about one "scene" multiple times. When I listen to music, I feel emotions and my character also "feels" emotions. It's weird, but kind of comforting..
I once went almost a week without my usual ~1 hour daydreaming (because I had a busy, exciting week), but I kind of missed it and worried a little when I would start up again. This didn't mean I stopped
about my characters though. I have very normal interactions with friends (but I have never told anybody about this), yet I always am reminding myself to daydream about certain things that happen daily.
I really can't pinpoint why this started and why I dream about this one family's life (especially this boy in the family - who would definitely be my boyfriend if he was real). I had a really good childhood. I have always been super creative. I am introverted, but I like being social. I love my real family. I don't worry too much about things.
If I have an upsetting day, daydreaming is especially comforting. I find myself feeling bad for others that don't have this other "world' to look forward to. It's natural for me to daydream, especially before sleeping. I feel happy and look forward to it.
I can separate my daydreams from reality, but sometimes I get really
and wish my characters were real. I feel like I could write a novel about them. Every time I try to write or draw, it's just not the same, but I'm trying!
I apologize if I don't have maladaptive daydreaming, because daydreaming doesn't really affect my schoolwork, interactions, etc... but I do believe my daydreams are not your average daydream about winning a race or falling in love (I have those too). I once remember daydreaming for 2 hours in bed in the morning as a little kid. I also have procrastinated by googling things to enhance my daydreams. So, I think I possibly have a mild form. I am grateful for my daydreams. They are a big part of me, yet no one knows. But I will be considerate of those who's daydreams greatly impact their daily life.
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. I'm relieved to find a forum and looking forward to hearing from others who experience similar things.