ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Fantasy (psychology)

Okay kiddo, so sometimes grown-ups like to imagine things that aren't real. They might think about what it would be like if they could fly like a superhero, or if they lived in a magical world with dragons and unicorns. That's called "fantasy."

Fantasy is like playing pretend, but in your head instead of with toys or with your friends. When you're thinking about a fantasy, you might feel really happy or excited, or even a little scared, because it feels like you're really there, even though you know it's not real.

A lot of people like to think about fantasies because it helps them feel better when things in real life might be hard or scary. It's like an escape to a happier, more exciting world. Some people even create stories or art based on their fantasies, like writing a book or drawing a picture.

But it's important to remember that fantasy is not real, and it's important to still pay attention to real life and take care of ourselves and the people around us. Sometimes people can get too caught up in their fantasies and forget about what's important in real life, so it's good to find a balance between the two.