In a society filled with distractions and escapes, one woman’s journey to sobriety led her to uncover a new struggle: the battle against escapism. Melissa Moxey, a special education teacher, found herself constantly seeking ways to avoid feeling her emotions, whether it was through drinking, smoking, or scrolling endlessly on social media.
After four years of sobriety, Moxey realized that her reliance on substances had simply been replaced by a new addiction – technology. She discovered that TikTok and other social media platforms provided the same escape as alcohol or weed, allowing her to avoid confronting her inner world.
As she delved deeper into understanding her behavior, Moxey recognized the harmful cycle of seeking external sources for happiness. She learned to sit with her emotions, to accept them, and to understand that they would pass – even the most unpleasant feelings.
Through her journey, Moxey acknowledges that while she may never fully escape escapism, she continues to strive for presence and awareness in her daily life. As she continues to improve and grow, she embraces the challenges and victories of facing her emotions head-on.
Moxey’s story serves as a reminder of the power of healing through feeling, of the importance of being present in our own lives, and of the ongoing battle against the temptations of escapism in a technology-driven world.