It’s Officially Escapism Season

With summer coming to an end, school back in session, and the leaves looking a tinge more burgundy, a cool breeze isn’t the only thing lingering in the air. There’s a tension. The phenomenon of desire for change and growth is carrying a renewed energy. It’s officially Escapism Season. 

Remember the “Winter Arc” trend that took over TikTok in early winter 2024? Well, its niche, sassy, unapologetic counterpart, ‘Escapism Season’ has arrived.  

What is Escapism Season???

Escapism Season is used to describe the beginning of a new chapter. It’s like creating a New Year’s resolution, except chasing your dreams and desires makes it past the sticky note in your bathroom mirror. It is a season all about you. Think about your goals and aspirations that are only a surge of motivation away. This is the time to work towards goals no one else thinks you are capable of reaching. You can’t be halfway in, and you can’t play it safe. Winter arc is about setting goals and being the best version of yourself. Yes, that’s great, but Escapism season is about escaping your reality and creating a new one. Creating an entirely new lifestyle, persona, and unapologetically awakening a part of you that is told by society to passively drive your decisions. 

Why “Escapism?”

This season keyed in on the term Escapism from RAYE’s song released in December 2022 (GENIUS). Not only because of its symbolism, but also because of its soundtrack. With over 3,500 posts on TikTok with #escapismseason and almost half a million videos using the audio, women hard-launching their commitment to the season became a trending topic, especially on the algorithm-driven feeds of driven women looking for a breakthrough. Within these videos, women would post their endeavors and progression towards their goals. This included lengthy study sessions, late-night lifting at the gym, 4 am morning routines, and devoting additional hours toward their passions. But why escapism? Escapism by RAYE describes a woman using sex, drugs, and alcohol as her escape from reality. In an attempt to escape from pain, she uses these old habits and pleasures. While the woman in this song is obviously portraying negative escapism through unhealthy patterns, it doesn’t have to be unhealthy. The trend has shed a new light on escapism, giving it a positive correlation to changing your circumstances and metamorphosing into a better you. And you can’t lie, the beat is the ultimate heavy gym-lift, catwalk, and motivation mix. 

How can i join the movement?

Escapism Season has many forms, depending on your goals and aspirations. It looks different for everyone, but the common denominator is being unapologetically all in. This season, I encourage you to push your limits. You might have to break before you evolve. Take a second to think about what that looks like for you. I could list ideas, tell you to read all the self-help books, and wake up ridiculously early to compensate for your already busy schedule, but I won’t. I encourage you to grab a sticky note and write down your goals. Promise yourself that your goals will make it past your bathroom mirror.

Let Escapism Season commence. 

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