~The Witcher: Jaskier X Listener SFW: An Escape~ {Patreon Exclusive}

Maybe not today, but someday, it'll feel like coming home.

Contains: Previously Established Relationship, Comfort, Advice, Hobbies, Escapism

This audio I kind of wanted to address that like, one of the biggest ways that a lot of people practice self care and self honoring, is through engaging in the hobbies that give them joy, and the idea that there are asshole people out there who call being hyper involved in your hobbies escapism and call that bad. I believe that escapism isn't inherently bad, as long as it doesn't detract from your life, because newsflash, life sucks sometimes, and you really need that escape to stay sane! I also know and have experienced the feeling that your hobbies don't draw you in anymore, or don't give you the same joy, and/or you're afraid that whatever you do/create in that hobby isn't going to be 'good'. But more often times than not, I've found that when you go and when you try, even though you might not feel like it, it really does feel like you're coming home to something, especially if you go into it not expecting to get anything out of it and just doing it because you like to do it. I find that approach to be more joyful, the physical process of participating in a hobby rather than trying to get something out of it and getting your hopes up, which could ultimately come crashing down when things don't turn out as you expected, when you're already in a vulnerable state. So, I hope I conveyed that idea in this audio lol. Also, the idea of being with a loved one in the same room and you're both just working on your own things but you're still doing it together cause you're in the same room? *chef's kiss* Peak quality time.

~Audio Transcript Below~

Jaskier: *strumming lute*

Darling.......did you know.......

*maybe singing softly* Your smile is like diamonds, sometimes hard to find, but undoubtedly worth it to see how beautiful they are by the light of the sun.

*softly* And I'm not just saying that to try to make you smile......I heartily believe it.........

*hums* It seems like I'm seeing less diamonds lately my Love.........and I know that you don't entirely like it when I point this out or ask.....however.......I feel like at some point I should ask you........

Are you alright.......and---please......give me a real answer?

*pause*

Well...I am sorry to hear that.......

Is there anything I can do to help?

*pause*

Nothing that is bothering you could be silly to me.......

*strums*

*pause*

Hm.....why don't you grab some of the supplies for one of your hobbies and we can do them together.......do you think that would help you?

*hums* Sometimes there's nothing nicer than spending time with a loved one where you're both together, but doing your own things.......no stakes.....no pressure......simply quality time spent pursuing the things that bring us joy with those who do the same.

*strums*

It's also good for you......taking part in your hobbies even when times are rough and you don't seem to have the motivation that you once had before.......

Sometimes.....doing it anyways can get you out of your......funk.......or....at the very least give you a sense of contentment.....

Because.....those are the things that at one point gave you enough passion, enough drive to pursue them in the first place....

I know you're not a person to keep up with hobbies simply on a whim or because someone else told you to do them. You and I are the same in that way.......we enjoy the things we enjoy and engage in them because to us.....they are worth our time and worth our energy......

And, frankly you can ignore the people who tell you that being invested in your hobbies during a rough time in your life is childish or it's escapism......we all need a little escapism in our lives......because the world is openly shit.....and those who think that you're not allowed to have joy or escapism from that shit are assholes.......the ones who think that to be considered an adult you have to lose all the joy in your life and allow themselves to be mired in shit because it makes them better than everyone else because 'they can handle it.'

Surprisingly enough, they can't handle it, it simply festers in them and they outpour their misery on some other person who's just trying to have fun and enjoy the small bits of life they can.

Misery Mongers the lot of them.......

*strumming*

As long as you aren't using hobbies or.....other things to consistently ignore situations, or the escapism isn't making those things that are rough in your life actively worse.....then what's the harm in it? What's the harm in loving yourself enough to want some contentment in your life?

*hums* I know that face.........

You're worried that you've lost everything that your hobbies could give you.....that you're going to try....and it's not going to give you the joy it once gave.....or the results aren't going to come out as you hoped.....and that would be just one more thing to add onto the load you're bearing........

Well....if you're interested in my two coppers......

Even if you try to engage in your hobbies while you aren't feeling your best, and the results don't turn out as you hoped....it doesn't mean that you're a failure or that those activities aren't meant for you anymore.......it's simply.....the ebb and flow of how existing works.......

Some days are darker than others.......but......no matter how dark a day might be, the sun *must* rise..........

Or.....something poetic like that.....*chuckles*

*pause*

Me? Of course I have off days.....there are days when I completely forget how rhyming works.....and my fingers don't want to coordinate with the strings......I am not immune to hobbies and special interests not turning out the way I had hoped, trust me......

I may not know *exactly* where you're coming from.....but you're not alone in this, I assure you, My Love......

It's alright to have off days......it's alright to have days where it feels a little bit like a chore to have a good time with the activities you usually enjoy. Any combination of good day, bad day, your hobbies work for you or not.....is completely alright.......

And even if you don't feel the draw of said hobbies as you used to........the best thing about it.....is that they still exist.....they'll still be waiting for you whenever you're ready.......

*pause*

And it will feel like coming home.......

*pause*

So there's no need to fret, no need to agonize......there's no need really to do anything....especially when you're with me........a no pressure situation......

If you just want to sit with me while I play, then I couldn't be more content with that either........I love spending time with you my Turtle Dove.....in any way that time is spent.......

*soft kiss*

*Starts strumming his lute  again*