I swear, Disney has given me unrealistic expectations about love. And after I grew up and started to read the books I read, it only got worse…
Who hasn’t swooned over a fictional romance, letting their heart flutter at the drama and perfection that unfolds on screen or in the pages of a beloved book? These stories, with their sweeping gestures and soul-stirring declarations, have an undeniable allure. They paint vivid pictures of what true love might look like—intense, dramatic, seemingly effortless.
Yet, these portrayals can cast long shadows over our real-life expectations. The media’s influence on perceptions of love runs deep, often leading us to idolize relationships that are either unattainable or downright red-flag-riddled. For those with anxious attachment styles, the ache for such idealized connections can be even more pronounced, creating a chasm between fantasy and reality.
So how do we navigate this labyrinth of love? This article series explores how fictional relationships often set unrealistic expectations for romance. We’ll delve into popular romantic tropes, books that will rip your hearts out and look at their impact on everyday life, consider the role of attachment styles, and see how therapy might offer a lifeline in recalibrating those starry-eyed ideals. Along the way, practical tips will help balance the intoxicating allure of fictional romance with the imperfect beauty of real-life love.
If you are on your bibliotherapy journey or just want to learn more about Reality vs. Fantasy and the way books and media affect our exspectations towards love and relationships, you have come to the right place!
After working your way through this series, you will
– have reflected on your favorite choice of romance books,
– identified your beloved book boyfriends and their
– questionable or adorable character traits, as often seen in fictional literatur and
– green and red flag behaviors, so you can
– reflect on what myths about love you believe in and how this affects your own love life.
Have you read any of the books in our reading list above? If you have read a book that includes a healthy, loving relationship, do me the favor and reach out to me via hello@glimmerreads.com, I’d love to add your book to my TBR and even into the reality vs. fantasy discussion.
Read on about The Influence of Romantic Tropes on Our Relationship Expectations here.
No responses yet