Living The Dream

Healthy fantasizing is essential—but don’t get trapped in la-la land.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE, with their extravagant wish lists, their sparkling tales of elves, miracles, and magic. All of this fantasy is good for the soul, especially when the weather’s cold and the traffic beastly. But fantasy is like medicine: Though it can vastly improve our lives, the wrong kind or dose can weaken or poison us. Learning to daydream in a healthy way is one of the many crucial life skills I suspect no one’s ever taught you.

  Most of the world’s inventions, innovations, and great works of art began as one person’s dream. Imagination gives us the vision we need to plan our future, and it helps us create. Daydreaming is crucial—so as we head into the season of fantasy, here’s a primer on mastering the art.

Start by noticing what your mind does when it’s off leash. Without overthinking it, sit back and imagine the future—tomorrow, or next month, or next year. How do those scenarios make you feel? Inspired? Tense? Numb? Strangely, many people daydream in ways that leave them frightened, depressed, or feeling trapped. See if any of the following patterns sound familiar.