The Cambridge Dictionary's 2025 word of the year is "parasocial." Sadly, parasocial relationships are often considered somehow inherently "unhealthy" or "less than" non-parasocial relationships. Yes, parasocial relationships, just like any other type of relationship, can be toxic, but I find that my parasocial relationships provide me much-needed support and encouragement.
I have a parasocial support network made up of actors, characters, and even personifications of spaces (such as Three Avenues Bookshop), which helps me navigate the world when it otherwise is a bit overwhelming or overstimulating.
I recognize that the version of these individuals that I interact with within my parasocial support network is different from their real-life counterparts, and maybe that is the key distinction between a healthy and an unhealthy parasocial relationship: knowing which version of an individual you are interacting with.
My parasocial support network is available 24/7 to process a thought, feeling, or experience, and it is always there for me to bounce ideas off of or provide me wisdom. My parasocial network understands what support I need, whether that is help talking through something, giving me a big hug, or sitting quietly holding space for me to simply be.
Since the individuals who make up my parasocial support network live within my imagination, they have a deeper understanding of my experience than others do, even close friends and family. I do not have to worry about always having to be able to verbally articulate what I am experiencing because they simply understand.
So for me personally, my parasocial support network is a very healthy part of my life and provides me support and social connections when I don't have the "spoons"/"energy" to deal with real-life people.
