Beyond Survival Island - #106 The Ink Well Prompt

A woman named Jessica who was absolutely obsessed with a reality TV show called Survival Island. Every week, she would tune in to watch the contestants face off against each other in various physical and mental challenges, always rooting for her favorite players to come out on top. Her obsession with the show began to consume her life. She would spend hours reading fan forums, watching interviews with the contestants, and analyzing the game strategies. Her friends and family became concerned about her preoccupation and how it was affecting her relationships.

^{Photo by SHVETS production from Pexels}

One day, Jessica's sister, Maria, decided to confront her about her obsession.

"Jess, I'm worried about you," Maria said. "You're always talking about this show, and you don't seem interested in anything else. What's going on?"

Jessica looked at Maria with a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

"What do you mean? I just really enjoy the show. It's exciting and it gives me something to look forward to every week."

"But you're spending all your free time on it," Maria continued. "You're neglecting your work, your hobbbies, and your relationships. It's not healthy."

Jessica shrugged off Maria's concerns, insisting that she had everything under control. But she began to realize that her obsession with "Survival Island" was causing problems in her life as time went on.

Jessica's best friend, Sarah, came over to visit a couple of days later.

"Hey, have you seen the latest episode of Survival Island?" Sarah asked.

Jessica's eyes lit up and says "Of course! Can you believe what happened during the immunity challenge?

Sarah: "Honestly, I don't really care. I just came over to hang out with you. It feels like we haven't spent quality time together in weeks."

Jessica felt a pang of guilt. She had been so wrapped up in the show that she hadn't made time for her friends. "I'm sorry, Sarah. You're right. I've been so focused on the show that I've been neglecting my other relationships."

Jessica made a conscious effort to cut back on her "Survival Island" obsession and spend more time with her loved ones. It wasn't easy, but she knew it was the right thing to do, bur she could not.

She had been experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety lately, and her doctor suggested that her obsession with the show might be contributing to her symptoms. Jessica was resistant to the idea. She didn't want to give up something that brought her so much enjoyment. One day Jessica visited her doctor and explained her situation in last days.

Jessica: "I've been feeling really anxious and stressed lately, and I'm not sure why. I'm having trouble sleeping, and I can't seem to relax no matter what I do."

Doctor: "Okay. Have you noticed any patterns in your behavior that might be contributing to your anxiety?"

Jessica: "Well, I do watch a lot of TV. There's this reality show that I'm really into, and I tend to spend a lot of time reading about it online, and talking to other fans on social media."

Doctor: "I see. That might be part of the problem. Sometimes it can start to affect our mental health when we get really wrapped up in a particular activity. Would you be willing to try cuttting back on the TV watching for a while, and see if that helps?"

Jessica: "I don't know...I really love that show. It's the one thing that I look forward to every week."

Doctor: "I understand that. But sometimes, we have to make tough choices for our own wellbeing. If you keep going the way you're going, you could end up doing more harm than good. I'd be happy to refer you to a therapist who can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms, interested?"

Jessica: "Okay...I guess that makes sense. Maybe I could try cutting back on the show, and see if that helps. And...maybe talking to a therapist wouldn't be such a bad idea."

Doctor: "Good. I think that's a great first step. And remember, if you ever need anything, you can always reach out to me or your therapist for support."

Jessica made an appointment with the therapist who suggested by her doctor in the same week. She was nervous as she walked into the office, not really knowing what to expect. The therapist, a kind-looking woman with a warm smile, greeted her and invited her to take a seat.

Therapist: "Hello, Jessica. It's nice to meet you. How are you feeling today?"

Jessica: "I'm okay, I guess. A little nervous to be honest."

Therapist: "That's perfectly understandable. It can be intimidating to talk to a stranger about your problems. But I want you to know that I'm here to help you in any way I can. Why don't you tell me a little bit about what's been going on?"

Jessica took a deep breath and began to explain her situation. She talked about her love for the "Survival Island" reality show, and how it had started to take over her life. She explained how she was feeling anxious and stressed all the time, and how she was having trouble sleeping and focusing on anything else.

Jessica learned a variety of new coping strategies and activities to help her manage her anxiety and reduce her obsession with the reality TV show over the course of several sessions with her therapist, J. She found that spending time in nature, praccticing yoga, and exploring new hobbies like painting and gardening helped to take her mind off the show and calm her racing thoughts.

Therapist: "I see. It sounds like your obsession with the show is causing you a lot of distress. Can you tell me a little bit more about why you think you're so drawn to it?"

Jessica thought for a moment before answering.

Jessica: "I don't know...I guess it's just exciting to watch. It's like...I get to live vicariously through the people on the show, you know? They're doing all these amazing things, and I feel like I'm a part of it. But...I guess it's not really healthy, is it?"

Therapist: "Well, it's not necessarily unhealthy to enjoy a TV show or a hobby. But when it starts to affect your mental health and wellbeing, that's when it becomes a problem. The good news is that there are things we can do to help you cope. For example, we can work on developing new interests and activities that bring you joy, so that you're not relying solely on the show for your happiness. How does that sound, hah?"

Jessica: "I think that could be helpful. But...what if I can't find anything else that I like as much as the show?"

Therapist: "That's a common concern, but I think you'll be surprised. There are so many different things out there to explore and discover. It might take a little time, but we'll work together to find something that resonates with you. And in the meantime, we can work on some mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help you manage your anxiety. How does that sound?"

Jessica: "Hoefullly. That sounds good. Thank you for your help."

Therapist: "You're welcome, Jessica. I'm glad you're here. Let's get started."

Jessica learned a variety of new coping strategies and activities to help her manage her anxiety and reduce her obsession with the reality TV show over the course of several sessions with her therapist. She found that spending time in nature, practicing yoga, and exploring new hobbies like painting and gardening helped to take her mind off the show and calm her racing thoughts.

Her relationship with her family and friends began to improve as time went on in really. She was more present in the moment and able to engage in meaningful conversations and activities with the people she loved. She still enjoyed watching the show from time to time, but it no longer consumed her thoughts and emotions in the way that it had before.

She was grateful for the support of her therapist and the new tools she had learned to manage her anxiety and find fulfillment in her life. She knew that the road ahead would have its challenges but control was now in her hands more.