The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense

In psychology, one of the requirements for 'ideal mental health' is having an 'accurate perception of reality'. Umm. What?

Is this seriously suggesting there is some correct way of viewing 'reality', or in fact that there is such a thing? I mean, the more I think about it, the more I believe there can be no such thing outside of our perception. If nothing could perceive the world, sure that doesn't mean it would cease to exist, but it also means there would be nothing to have any concept of reality.

Think about relationships. We base our friendships, loves and loathes on what we perceive, and how we think others perceive us, regardless of what the truth of the matter is. Take the example of someone being two-faced (maliciously or otherwise). Everyone does it after all. Imagine someone who really annoys you, have you ever pretended to like them, or just be civil for the sake of peace? Well they may go away thinking that you do in fact like them, or at least don't mind them, when this isn't how you really feel. Now think about the opposite, a best friend. Your friendship must surely have built up because you think they like you too, friendship can't work all that strongly when it's entirely one sided. Maybe at first they thought you were a bit weird, but you didn't know this and over time they've come to love your eccentricities. Or whatever the case may be, my point is that life revolves around what you think, rather than 'reality'. Your perception of perception, if you like.

Just look at dating. I'm talking about proper, adult, lets-get-to-know-each-other dating. You know the scenario, you finally plucked up the courage to ask out that chick from chess club. After all, for a librarian she's pretty hot and daaamn she had some good moves. Now you've got to sit there and pray you can get through the evening without making a total ass of yourself. But you fail. You use your cutlery in the wrong order and try to eat soup with a fork, then you start slagging something off and accidentally insult her and finally, much like in the IT Crowd, you end up with chocolate cake on your forehead. It's not shit. Look! *wipes with finger and licks*. So you decide that maybe this one isn't worth pursuing and don't bother to call her. But it turns out, she actually thought you were kind of quirky and funny.

Anyway, this is a long rambly blog with no apparent point. Wrap it up Katy.

So... next time you're thinking, fuuck, I should not have said/done that just remember that it may not be as bad as you think, or it might be a whole lot worse. Really, you can't fully know because we're totally restricted to our senses, so don't get hung up on it. Life goes on.