Learn English – What’s the idiomatic word for something that keeps you sane/grounded

expressionsidiomsnounssingle-word-requests

There's a word for something, that when remembered–or a person that when spoken to–brings you back to reality and the knowledge that you're not insane. I keep wanting to say "touchstone", but I don't think that's it. "Cornerstone" kind of works (and is probably why "touchstone" comes to mind), but is more about a foundation you build yourself upon, rather than something you come back to.

I think I'm looking for a synonym for reality check. It's also the opposite of something that gaslights you.

Best Answer

An anchor:

A person or thing that provides stability or confidence in an otherwise uncertain situation.

‘the European Community is the economic anchor of the New Europe’

[Oxford]

If you're comfortable with a movie reference, like "Gaslight" itself, I suggest "totem", as used in the movie Inception:

A Totem is an object that is used to test if oneself is in one's own reality (dream or non-dream) and not in another person's dream.

[inception.wikia.com]

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