Believe Quote by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
“When a woman is frozen of feeling, when she can no longer feel herself, when her blood, her passion, no longer reach the extremities of her psyche, when she is desperate; then a fantasy life is far more pleasurable than anything else she can set her sights upon. Her little match lights, because they have no wood to burn, instead burn up the psyche as though it were a big dry log. The psyche begins to play tricks on itself; it lives now in the fantasy fire of all yearning fulfilled. This kind of fantasizing is like a lie: If you tell it often enough, you begin to believe it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Women Who Run With the Wolves, 1992
When emotional numbness overwhelms, people turn to fantasy as an escape, but repeated reliance can blur reality and become self‑deception.
In simple terms: Desperation fuels escapist fantasies that can become lies.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address emotional emptiness.
Themes
psychology
escape
selfdeception
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
counseling
literary
When to use this quote
- therapy
- creative writing
- mindfulness practice
- support groups
Key Concepts
emotional numbness
fantasy coping
selffulhealing
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions are you avoiding?
- How can you ground yourself in reality?
A Different Perspective
Fantasy can mask underlying issues, preventing healing.
