Reality is just word in the mind of human beings. So reality (in the way you or I conceptualize it) doesn't really exist.

Obviously, once you start to believe nothing you say, think or believe actually exists, you run the risk of becoming a nihilist. 

But, 'I think therefore I am'. Most of us are conscious of our existence, anything else beyond that is just an educated, or perhaps 'dimwitted', guess. And so, most believe that they are perhaps alive (simulation hypothesis aside). Hard core mediators and psychedelic drug takers seem to think their existence extends beyond their ideas of 'the self'.

Thinking and talking and believing our thoughts and words relate to something real is very practical, useful and necessary to our survival. However, I my opinion, I think it's important to always remind oneself that we just live in our own heads, and make up, or perhaps make sense of, 'reality' in our heads.

Imagine for a moment, a world in which countrymen, men, women, races, ages (years of life) did not exist and no one had a concept of them. We sure would have a lot less to fight about!

So it's very beneficial to let all thoughts go - to not become too attached to them, and just 'be'.

Conversely, holding those ideas loosely can be beneficial as it allows us to accommodate apparent differences, improving everyone's lives. It's good to treat children differently from adults. Despite the fact that children and adults are only ideas.