For those of us in our 60s who sometimes feel, “Life is getting heavy lately.”
Work. Health changes. Family matters.
After decades of pushing through, it’s no wonder we feel a little worn out sometimes.
That’s when imagination—yes, plain old daydreaming—can be a lifeline.
In this post, I’ll share how the classic TV drama “Ally McBeal” inspired me to treat imagination as a mental safe haven.
Did Anyone Else Watch Ally McBeal?
Every week, I watched it like a ritual.
I laughed, cried, danced, mimicked the characters—and went to bed way too late.
And yet… I don’t remember ever talking about it with anyone.
Not at work. Not with friends. Not once.
Maybe I was afraid. Afraid someone would say,
“Oh, that weird show with the dancing baby? That’s so silly.”
But now, I’m saying it out loud:
I loved Ally McBeal.
Actually, I still do.
A World Where Lawyers Sing and Dance
That show was unfairly wonderful.
Argue in the office, cry, get mad—and then head downstairs to the bar where everyone sings and dances together?
Who gets to live like that?
The hidden message in Ally McBeal was this:
“Everyone is allowed to have their own theme song.”
When you’re down, nervous, or just need courage, play that song in your head.
It’s like a tiny magic spell that keeps you going.
Back then, I didn’t have the time or energy for karaoke.
My days ended with late-night convenience store pasta after endless overtime.
Japan in those days ran on the slogan: “Can you work 24 hours a day?”
Meanwhile, Ally and her friends were making time for emotional release.
Daydreams as Emotional Shelters
Looking back, those wild fantasy scenes—
the sudden burst of flames, the dancing baby—
they were all metaphors for feelings.
They showed the inner thoughts you’d never admit out loud.
That’s what made Ally so relatable.
Her fantasies were her mental shelter.
Imagination as a Survival Tool
The word “escape” sounds negative.
But a funny, comforting daydream can actually be emotional nutrition.
The truth?
The second half of life has more tough days than we expected.
Aches in the body, dips in mood—they sneak up on you.
That’s exactly why we need to keep our imagination strong.
Play your theme song in your head.
Picture yourself dancing through the courtroom—or anywhere, really.
Because that’s a safe haven nobody can take away from you.
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