Oracle of Consciousness

Alcohol

Everything in moderation.
However, if we find comfort and distraction from our pain and trauma in alcohol, then at some time in the future, we are going to need more than
one glass to feel better.

As our go-to, readily-accessible comforter, it is easy to justify drinking in excess.

Drugs

Drugs in small quantities have a tendency to temporarily numb our mental and emotional pain.
However, we cannot selectively numb one part, without numbing another part.

More will be require to create the same 'relief' and hence if not resolved, more and higher doses will be sought

Closed Emotions

Shutting down how we feel when stressed by emotional challenges, may appear a good solution, but there is always a price to pay.

Ultimately we become numb to all feelings, whether they
be uplifting or not.

This can leave us isolated, disconnected, and prone to causing harm.

Addiction

Addiction is the result of using some form of comfort to resolve the discomfort of pain and trauma.

We find comfort in alcohol or drugs and eventually we become so hooked that the alcohol or drugs become the major problem.

The so-called 'solution' becomes the problem!

Becoming Reclusive

We all know the feeling of want to run away and hide.

There is a big difference between hiding away somewhere, and taking a quiet break away from the pressure of everyday life.
Disconnecting from life will resolve nothing

Projection

There is a popular misconception that if I am hurting and I hurt another, it will make me feel better.
It wont

So projecting our mental and/or emotional 'stuff' on others is not the answer, after all, whose 'stuff' is it?

Social Media

Social media has become a heavily dependent go-to escape mechanism, where the number 'likes' and 'views' on a post provide a dopamine hit, which in turn, can become highly addictive.

Use it wisely and sparingly for constructive purposes.

Denial

Denial is not a river in Egypt!
Denial is a failure to address or take responsibility for
ones actions or life.

It is the mark of victimhood and disempowerment.

It is dishonest and inauthentic and resolves nothing.

Escapism

This is a common strategy to avoid pain and trauma.

We can use any one or more of the above strategies to seek comfort, and in doing so, the REAL challenge is not faced.

If the ball on the left represents the unresolved situation and the chain is affixed to our ankle, what is going to happen when we try to run away to escape the discomfort?

That's right, it is going to follow us no matter how far or fast we travel.

And what a burden and inhibitor to our freedom and peace of mind that is.

So, any form of escapism is doomed to fail.