notions of childhood and escaping reality
why do we want to run away to our childhood films and imaginations?
There is a trend on TikTok where people share all the childhood films they would escape to and never return. The most common one is Wonderland; people say once they see a white rabbit with a clock, they’ll chase it. This caused many other films to pop up. These stories centred around a protagonist (usually a child) escaping to a magical world different from theirs. It made me reflect on why we hold these notions of escaping reality, even when we’re well into adulthood. We all want our inner child to escape to the fairytale-like worlds as the children we’ve watched and read about.
Depending on a person’s psychological and emotional needs, escape-to-magical-world films can often be a sense of comfort and nostalgia. Revisiting the memories of simpler times evokes tender feelings of safety, a temporary escape from adult life. As a writer, many of my childhood films are sources of creative inspiration. They remind me of the limitless possibilities and unrestrained creativity that characterised my early years, which I try very hard to keep with me for life. I think the main reason behind wanting to escape to our childhood magical worlds is to give us a form of escapism. These magic stories and worlds offer a reprieve from the tough realities.
It is interesting because, in many of these stories, adults are often taunted or mocked for their lack of belief in magic or imagination. The common trope is that children can travel to magical worlds because they don’t have the scepticism that adults have to question such things. As a little girl, I never understood why the adults in Alice in Wonderland never believed Alice and her adventures. Or how Wendy’s parents in Peter Pan were neglectful enough that she decided running away to Neverland was better.
As an adult, I finally understood why they were always sceptical. They grew up. The reality is that as we get older, we become more cynical of the world and question many things, hence why that imagination aspect of us grows smaller. What I hope to do with this is to bring it back within you by whispering all the worlds we could travel. Whether it is taking Hogwarts letter, falling down a rabbit hole, following the second star to the right or walking through the wardrobe—there are worlds to explore.
You just have to believe.
chasing a white rabbit with a clock down the rabbit hole
In Alice in Wonderland, we follow young Alice as she chases a white rabbit with a clock, tumbling down a rabbit hole into a whimsical world filled with peculiar creatures and nonsensical adventures. This classic tale captures the essence of wonder and curiosity, exploring a fantastical land where logic is turned on its head.
My favourite characters: Mad Hatter, Chesire Cat, Walrus
My go-to hangout spots: Queen of Heart’s Garden, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
A character I would get along with: Alice
Characters I would constantly argue with: Tweedledee, Tweedledum, Chesire Cat
following the second star to the right
Peter Pan takes us on a journey to Neverland—a place where children never grow up and adventures abound. Following the second star to the right, Peter Pan leads Wendy, John and Michael away from their ordinary lives to a world filled with pirates, fairies and mermaids. Neverland is a metaphor for the escapism we crave when the responsibilities of adulthood become overwhelming. Our sweet creativity can soar.
My favourite characters: Captain Hook, Wendy
My go-to hangout spot: The Little House
A character I would get along with: Mr. Smee
A character I would constantly argue with: Tinkerbell
walking through the wardrobe
In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy—stumble upon a magical wardrobe that serves as a portal to the enchanted land of Narnia. Here, they encounter talking animals, mythical creatures and the majestic Aslan. Narnia offers a world of adventure, bravery and the triumph of good over evil, serving as a reminder that courage and faith can lead us to extraordinary places, even if they exist only in our minds.
My favourite character: Aslan
My go-to hangout spot: Mr. Tumnus’ cottage
A character I would get along with: Lucy
A character I would constantly argue with: Edmund
going through the little door in the pink palace
Coraline is about a young girl who discovers a small, hidden door in her new home that leads to an alternate version of her life. This other world mirrors her own but is seemingly more perfect, with her “Other Mother” promising a better reality. However, Coraline soon realised that this world was a sinister trap. The story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of fantasy overtaking reality. Coraline’s journey reminds us that while escapism can be tempting, facing our real lives is where true courage lies.
My favourite characters: Wybie, Miss Spink, Miss Forcible
My go-to hangout spot: Miss Spink and Miss Forcible’s apartment
A character I would get along with: Wybie
A character I would constantly argue with: Coraline
walking on the yellow brick lane to the emerald city
In The Wizard of OZ, Dorothy is swept away by a tornado from Kansas to the magical land of Oz. To go home, she must follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City, where the Wizard resides. Along the way, she befriends the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, each seeking something they believe they lack. This film shows that the journey itself can be as important as the destination. It encourages us to discover that the qualities we seek—brains, heart, courage—are often within us all along.
My favourite characters: Cowardly Lion, Dorothy
My go-to hangout spot: Emerald City
A character I would get along with: Dorothy
A character I would constantly argue with: The Wicked Witch
going through the tunnel to a bathhouse in a spirit town
Spirited Away is a Studio Ghibli film that introduces us to Chihiro, a young girl who finds herself in a mysterious and magical world after her parents are transformed into pigs. To rescue them and return to her world, Chihiro must navigate this town filled with spirits, and strange creatures. Chihiro’s courage inspires us to confront our fears.
My favourite characters: Haku, Lin, Zeniba
My go-to hangout spot: Zeniba’s cottage in Swamp Bottom
A character I would get along with: Lin
A character I would constantly argue with: Chihiro
“Your imagination can create a reality.” — James Cameron
My Dad woke me and my siblings up at 12 am in the morning to watch Coraline cause he thought we'd like it. Then he went to bed. I'd never been so captivated or terrified in my life. Nightmares for weeks, but it was totally worth it. As always, lovely piece.