The fantasy is delicious, but the reality would leave me malnourished

I’m a world-class daydreamer. Not in a “visualise your goals” kind of way, but in a recurring fantasy of “ditching real life and escaping to a tropical island” kind of way.

In my head, it looks like this: sun-warmed skin, endless ocean, a tiny beach house with a front door that opened onto the sand, salt water, shells, warm breeze, palm trees, sun … bliss. Not a single email or obligation in sight. Basically, the Instagram version of happiness.

And you know what? For a week or two, I’d love it. I’d soak up the quiet. I’d read all the novels stacked on my bedside table. I’d get a golden tan. I’d finally feel like I could hear myself think.

But then … if I stay too long, that fantasy would start to eat me alive.

Island life sounds delicious. But give me six months of it and I’d be restless, lonely, and so bored I’d probably start talking to the coconuts.

The truth behind the fantasy

As much as I crave escape, what I actually value is connection, intellectual stimulation and a sense of purpose. And, almost more than anything, being part of something bigger than myself.

I need purposeful work. I need those chats with colleagues in the office kitchen. The spark of solving a problem with someone else. The feeling of being seen, they’re the things that help my soul to breathe on a daily basis.

And that’s the thing about daydreams. They’re seductive, but they don’t always tell the truth. They’re less about what we really want, and more about what we need relief from. My island fantasy isn’t a roadmap to a better life — it’s just my brain waving a little flag that says, “Oi, you’re tired. Take a break.”

The fantasy is delicious, but the reality would leave me malnourished.

How to dip into your fantasy life (without running away from your real one)

Your daydream doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing deal. Instead of booking a one-way ticket and ghosting your responsibilities, you can borrow the flavour of your fantasy in small, doable ways. Think of it as ordering a tasting plate instead of committing to the 12-course banquet.

Craving island life?

• Swap your usual café for one near the water.
• Have a “cocktail night” at home — umbrellas and all.
• Schedule a phone-free Sunday afternoon in the sun with a book.

Dreaming of van or camping life?

• Take a weekend road trip, even if it’s just two hours down the coast.
• Sleep under the stars in your backyard (bonus: indoor plumbing is three steps away).
• Try working from a library or café for that “new view” buzz.

Longing for cabin-in-the-woods solitude?

• Declare a 24-hour “hermit day” — no social media, no obligations, just you and whatever feels cosy.
• Light a fire pit or candles, put on a moody playlist, and lean into the vibe.
• Book a cheap Airbnb in the bush for one night.

Because sometimes our fantasies aren’t about escaping our life — they’re about adding the flavours it’s missing. And when you give yourself those mini doses, your daydream stops being an impossible fantasy and becomes a source of joy right here, right now.

Weaving fantasy into everyday life

Not every escape has to be a big trip or carefully staged vibe. Sometimes the easiest way to scratch the daydream itch is to sneak little doses of it straight into your routine. No planning, no drama — just tiny shifts that make ordinary life feel a little more extraordinary.

• Take your coffee outside. Even if it’s five minutes on the back step in your pyjamas, the fresh air hits different.
• Go for a walk in nature. Bush, beach, or just the local park — moving your body outside is the closest thing to a reset button.
• Bring summer vibes into winter. Make yourself a cocktail (or mocktail) on a random Saturday night, throw on a bright playlist, and pretend you’re on holiday.
• Claim solo time on purpose. Close the door, put on noise-cancelling headphones, and let the world wait. Hermit day: activated.
• Create ritual out of routine. Light a candle before you journal, use your “special” mug on a Tuesday, eat dinner by fairy lights — small things that make the everyday feel like a treat.

Something to look forward to

I’m hoping I’m not unique in my desire to escape my daily life occasionally (okay, more than occasionally). For me, it usually hits me during the depths of the cold, wet winter. Winters in Tassie can be miserable affairs.

But, this year, I have felt it more strongly because I have not had a holiday to look forward to. The last two years we went to Bali. This year we stayed home.

For me, that was a mistake. I need to get away. I need something to look forward to. Next year, I’m planning a holiday to get out of the winter misery.

Make it work for you

Borrow the mood and drip-feed it into your real life until you can go on holiday. That way, you don’t need to run away to feel nourished. You can taste it in bite-sized pieces, right here, right now.