Jane Wagner

Reality, Awareness, and the Stress They Bring

However, the quote also hints at a temptation: if reality causes stress, why not avoid it? Denial and distraction can indeed provide short-term relief, which is why they’re so common. Curating only comforting news, postponing difficult conversations, or numbing with constant entertainment can feel like stepping out of the storm. Yet this relief often accumulates interest. Problems left unaddressed grow, and the return to reality can be harsher than the initial contact. Wagner’s line works as a warning disguised as wit: “out of touch” may feel easier, but it can quietly raise the eventual cost. [...]