From an article in USA Today, “A record $8 billion will be spent by U.S. consumers this Halloween — most of it by adults, for adults”.
“It’s a way for people to try to be more themselves,” he says. Even as adults in costumes play out their fantasies, it’s as if they’re actually saying, “I’m behind a mask, but this is really who I am.”
Other than a Jimmy Buffett concert, I think Halloween is the ultimate excuse for adult escapism. It’s the perfect opportunity to forget about the realities of everyday life for a short time. Escape from the cubicle, from the 9-to-5 grind, the TGIF mindset.
Personally, I’m not much of a Halloween fan. It freaks me out. I’m not one for scary movies, horror, creepy costumes and haunted houses. Yes, I am a big wimp.
But I am a fan of escapism. So I can appreciate that aspect of Halloween.
One of my favorite bands, The Boat Drunks, have a great song called “Leave with the Girl” and this one particular lyric is very fitting:
One night a year I can face all my fears and break from my normal routine
But some folks are content just living their lives like every night’s Halloween.
That one night a year when you face all you fears and break from your normal routine.
Then you have folks like John Beilein, University of Michigan’s head basketball coach who says:
“After all these years, I don’t know what day it is. People talk about Wednesday being hump day, or thank God it’s Friday — I don’t know any of that stuff. I’m very fortunate.”
So I guess that makes him one of the folks who are content just living their lives like every night’s Halloween…because it’s not escapism for Beilein.
As you can see, I am a bit obsessed with this…Why some people settle for a career that they hate and TGIF is part of their weekly conversation and others find something that they don’t even consider to be work:
“If you have a job that you feel like you never work a day in your life, that’s a pretty good job. That’s how I feel.” ~John Beilein
Is it luck? Is right, place right time? Is it perseverance? Or is it, as my favorite line from Jerry Maguire goes – “That’s how you become great, man. Hang your balls out there.”
I could go on and on and on…but I think I’d begin to drive you crazy as well.
Regardless…escapism is healthy. Remember, that claim is completely made up by me.
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