Building a Prison

If you really want to keep someone trapped then let them construct their own prison, odds are they have already done it a few times.  We are the most creative at finding ways to restrict ourselves from doing the things we want to do or need to do. Think about how you define yourself, that is in part some of the barebones of your prison design. For example:

"I'm a brother, a son, not great with fashion...ext."

I could go on and on talking about myself (so maybe I'm a bit of a narcissist too), but these are ways I define myself a basic idea of self. In that statement I stated a heavy family influence/dependence and told people I have moments where I check out from reality for longer periods (or augment my reality to suit my imagination) -- I also admitted that I don't know what clothes work well with me (not true, I just don't particularly care most of the time...and I look damn good anyway :P ). The point I"m getting at is we confine ourselves to certain roles that we take on in our psyche. The example "I am a son" so I need to be careful of how my actions affect my parents or "I am a father" so the amount of risks I take must be less so that my children will still have me.

Our fears play another part in our prison building. Lets take a guy who is afraid of insects (roaches in particular), he will ensure that he never encounters them or runs shrieking from them (flying roaches are serious business). His fear mandates how often he cleans, where he works, what he does with trash. He won't spend time outside and might even minimise the amount of food he eats. Lets try another example, the woman who is afraid of losing a loved one (not death, but the connection with someone). She will become the ultimate people pleaser, going out of her way (above and beyond) doing what she needs to to make people feel comfortable around her (or to like her). She holds onto people like coins she's collecting, polishing them, putting them in cases and on display for fear of losing them.

Our interests confine us as well. I identify as a gamer so it would feel weird to not having played anything for a solid week. Someone else might identify as an avid reader and would feel out of place without a book within arms reach (no, digital books are taboo!) at a moments notice. Just about everyone with an internet connection has binged on Netflix. Are you a Marvel or DC fan? Batman or Superman (fun movie btw...just not packing the full punch it should have)?

In closing I"m not saying that having a prison that you confine yourself in...its kinda how we keep ourselves in check, form a kind of balance. What I am asking is for you to be aware of the walls and bars you've placed around yourself -- know what it is that you have done to confine yourself. Once you establish that then take a walk, leave your prison for a bit, explore whats outside of your norm (I promise you it will be full of surprises). Who knows? You might love it and restructure your prison...or you might want to return to that comfort zone you've imprisoned yourself within. But you know won't know the answer listening to me from behind those bars.