Falling Into Gaming
Email thisMeghan Ralph is an Intuitive Healer and Alchemist and runs Soular Radiant in Denver; giving readings, guidance, and remedies to many. Meghan loves gaming as a form of meditation and relaxation, and even recommends it for healing.
What is it about fall that makes me want to RPG?
I’m serious! I won’t touch my system for MONTHS, but as soon as the leaves start falling, I crave it like a crackhead. Long Saturdays snuggled under the blankets with a controller in my hand.
I’ll watch leaves falling outside the window, and be reminded of that town in Fable where the leaves are falling, and I can almost hear the music. Or I’ll see the snow and remember I last left off on that frickin ice planet in Mass Effect and I want to kick it’s ass!
And yet I deprive myself!
Fall, for me, and many I’ve spoken to, comes with a great burst of energy. We know that the change is coming! Cold weather, short days, how will we get anything done?! So there is a rush to do, to gather, and to fix before you won’t be able to. Suddenly, everything around you looks wrong, feels wrong, and needs to change.
I had the impulse to paint my furniture and redecorate my bathroom.
This is why falling into gaming is so healthy. Generally, these impulses come because they have been ground into us through the centuries, but also with stories and fables as a kid. I remember one cartoon about the grasshopper that partied during the harvest and so had nothing left during the winter months and nearly died until some overachieving ants let him bunk with them. This is not the case these days. We don’t need to rush to stock up and store; most grocery stores are open 24 hours. We don’t need to tackle massive projects; there will be time for that.
I’m not saying ignore responsibility. Pay your bills and clean your room, people! But save the major projects for the months where you are pretty much stuck inside and about to go stir crazy.
There is a slowing down that occurs naturally after the holiday season. It gets dark earlier, it’s colder out, being up and active isn’t as easy as it was in the warmer months. These changes function as a built in excuse against productivity. Is this why more games tend to be released in the colder months? Smart move, Game Companies!
Til then, grab a controller and take a load off. Stock up on herbs, practice potions, and level up those combat skills! But don’t bust your chops to conquer too much in the “real world”. Otherwise you’ll wake up in a month and wonder why everything in your bathroom is purple…
tl-dr
When the leaves and snow are falling, fall into some game time. Relax and level up a few skills before the boss level of Holiday time rears it’s ugly head.
Ding! You’ve Leveled Up! Please see your local librarian for training.