Why Crying Over Fictional Characters is its Own Kind of Therapy
Why Crying Over Fictional Characters is its Own Kind of Therapy
Why Crying Over Fictional Characters is its Own Kind of Therapy
Does fake heartbreak offer real relief? Is cying over movies and novels a gentle, safe way to heal and reset?
Sometimes I ask myself: why do I cry so much over stories that are not even real? Like, honestly, Belly choosing between Conrad and Jeremiah in The Summer I Turned Pretty is not my actual life problem (though imagine if it was 👀). But still, my pillow has seen more tears because of them than because of my real-life crushes.
And you know what? I think that’s okay. In fact, it’s kind of healing.
The Illusion is Safer
Because when I cry over fictional people, it feels safer. There is no real consequence.
I can let my heart break, scream at the screen, hug my book, and at the end of the day, I know I can close it, wipe my tears, and go make chai.
That kind of crying is like a release valve — pressure goes down, heart feels lighter.
Take To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. When Lara Jean cried over Peter Kavinsky, I shed a tear like my own long-time crush had left me forever. And when her letters were sent, my gosh (lowkey it was my nightmare 😭)
But also, while crying, I realized I wasn’t alone in this fear of being too exposed, too vulnerable. It was like Lara Jean was doing the embarrassing, painful part for me, and I just had to feel it with her. That’s therapy, no?
Or Gossip Girl. God, don’t get me started on Blair and Chuck. I used to roll my eyes, say “I’m not that dramatic,” and then cry anyway when they tore each other apart. Because secretly, I think I wanted to believe that no matter how much we mess up, someone will still fight for us. Even if it’s messy, even if it’s toxic, even if it’s only on TV.
And then there’s 13 Going on 30. That one destroys me in the sweetest way. Every time Jenna realizes she wanted love, not just success, I cry like I’m the one losing my childhood best friend. But I also laugh through tears, because suddenly life feels so clear: we can run all we want toward “grown-up” things, but at the end of the day, it’s about love, friendship, being seen.
Because We Love to Fantasize about Drama
So maybe that’s why crying over fictional characters feels so good.
We practice heartbreak in safe spaces.
We let the tears flow in places where no one will call us dramatic. And sometimes, we discover feelings we didn’t even know we were hiding.
It’s cheaper than therapy, honestly. And maybe better. Because in books and movies, heartbreak usually comes with a beautiful soundtrack, rain outside the window, or a happy ending just a chapter away.
So next time I’m sobbing at 2 a.m. because Belly is marrying the wrong brother, I’ll just tell myself: Tanvi, you are healing.
#FictionFeels #CryWithMe #BookLovers #ReadingTherapy #MentalHealthMatters
