Waking from the Fog: The Day My Reality Changed

Living in a dream I couldn't wake up from – and how I found my way back.

Author

Burak Yavuz
February 09, 2025

Picture this: You're standing in a crowded café. The barista's mouth is moving, people are bustling around you, but everything feels distant – like you're watching life through a slightly dirty window. Your own hands look foreign as you reach for your coffee. Your reflection in the mirror belongs to a stranger. And the scariest part? You can't shake it off.
That was my morning routine for eight years. Not just in cafés – everywhere. At work, with friends, even in the comfort of my own home. Everything looked normal, but nothing felt real. I'd find myself checking mirrors constantly, trying to convince myself that the person staring back was really me. I'd pinch my skin, hoping the sensation would somehow anchor me to reality.
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"The world becomes a movie set, and you're both the unwilling actor and the confused spectator."

That was my morning routine for eight years. Not just in cafés – everywhere. At work, with friends, even in the comfort of my own home. Everything looked normal, but nothing felt real. I'd find myself checking mirrors constantly, trying to convince myself that the person staring back was really me.

The Medical Reality vs. Lived Experience

Derealisation

The world feels unreal, like you're in a dream

Depersonalisation

Your body and thoughts feel disconnected from you

Anxiety Response

A constant feeling of being "not quite here"

The Turning Point

"That sounds terrifying. But we'll figure this out together." - Words that changed everything

I remember the first time it hit me. I was sitting in a meeting at work, surrounded by familiar faces. Suddenly, their voices became distant echoes, and the room seemed to stretch like a Salvador Dalí painting. My heart raced, but outwardly, I maintained composure – a skill I'd perfect over the coming years.

What You Need to Know Right Now

📌 Quick Facts About Derealisation:

  • This is a real experience, shared by millions worldwide

  • It's often triggered by stress, anxiety, or trauma

  • Most importantly: it's not permanent

Your Journey Starts Here

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